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What Could Be The Reason For Upper Lip Numbness

Lip numbness, also medically referred to as lip paresthesias, can be described as a condition, where a person feels an abnormal sensation in the lips. The abnormal sensation is usually manifested in the form of numbness in the lips, as well as tingling in lips. A person suffering from lip paresthesias or numb lips, he or she could lose feeling and sensation in either one or both the lips. A numb lip could be a one off occurrence that lasts for a short while and then disappears, or it could be a permanent problem. The problem could be harmless or serious, depending on its severity. In order to gauge the severity of this condition, it is absolutely essential to identify the numbness causes. When the lips are numb, most people do not experience pain or any other uncomfortable painful symptoms. However, this condition could still be a very distressing one, since it generally leads to difficulty while eating, drinking and sleeping. Moreover, it is quite common to see other uncomfortable symptoms accompanying tingling in the lips. Numb lips and tongue as well as numb lips and gums are all usually seen at the same time. At times, numb lips may also be accompanied by some amount of swelling.

causes

There are many factors that could lead to lip numbness and tingling and it is absolutely essential to identify the exact cause of the problem, in order to take the right treatment approach. Given below, are some of the most common tingling in lips causes:

• Allergies: The consumption of certain foods could lead to severe allergies in the mouth, which causes sores, swelling, redness as well as numbness of the tongue and the lips. This is one of the most common causes of lip numbness in people. Therefore, whenever people suffer from the problem of numb lips, they assume that it has been caused by something that they have eaten.
• Dental anesthetics: Several people experience lip numbness after root canal, tooth extraction or other similar dental procedures. This is because most dentists use a local anesthetic, which deadens the immediate and sometimes, the surrounding area too. The main purpose of using the anesthetic is reducing the pain that the patients would go through otherwise. Therefore, lip numbness after wisdom teeth extraction is not uncommon too. However, the numbness in lips after oral surgery is a temporary condition and should last for no more than 8 to 10 hours or so.
• Over the counter medication: Several doctors recommend certain over the counter medicines, in order to treat canker sores, toothaches and cold sores. Some of these medicines may contain ingredients, which lead to numbness in the mouth, as well as the lips. An ingredient known as benzocaine is present in several dental medicines, because it can relieve lip pain. However, it is also known to cause temporary spells of lip numbness and swelling, in rare cases too. Therefore, such medicines should be avoided during mealtimes
• Hyperventilation: Strange as this may sound numb lips and anxiety are closely related too. When people hyperventilate in stressful situations they lose large amounts of carbon dioxide in large amounts from the bloodstream, which could induce a severe bout of anxiety. One of the first symptoms of hyperventilation is numb lips and fingers or numb lips and hands. At times, a person may also experience lightheadedness and muscle twitching in such situations. Hence, this condition could also be characterized by numb lips and headache at times.
• Ciguatera Poisoning: There may be occasions where people consume toxic or poisonous substances or foods in error. Upper lip numbness is generally experienced after eating certain varieties of sea food such as horseshoe crab and other exotic fish. Certain plants like Glory lily could also lead to a numb upper lip, if consumed.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: This condition refers to sensory nerve damage, which is usually characterized by symptoms like pain, pinching, numbness and tingling in different parts of the body, including the lips. In fact, in this condition the numbness generally begins at the feet and can move all the way up, through the legs, making it difficult for a person to walk and maintain the balance at the same time. This sensations caused by this condition are usually a lot more severe when people are trying to sleep.
• Alcohol: An excessive consumption of alcohol could cause a loss of feeling in several parts of the body, including the lips. Therefore, in order to reduce the discomfort caused by numb lips alcohol consumption should be limited.
• Surgical procedures: During several surgical procedures anesthesia is used, which leads to numbness in the immediate and the surrounding area. Therefore, lip numbness after surgery is not uncommon, in case of any surgeries that are conducted close to the mouth, for example, nose surgeries.
• Pregnancy: There are many women who experience severe lip numbness during pregnancy. The exact reason for the numbness is still not clear, but it is seen is several pregnant women. This could be caused by the development of allergies during pregnancy, pressure on a particular nerve that may be connected to the lips or hormonal changes. Even numb lips are very common in pregnancy women it is important to inform a doctor about it.
• Raynaud’s phenomenon: This is a disorder that is characterized by the narrowing and the constriction of blood vessels in the fingers, toes as well as the face.

Lip numbness and tingling symptoms

Numbness in the lips is not a condition on its own, but is a symptom of several other conditions. Numb lips are characterized by loss of sensation in the lips, difficulty in eating and drinking, slurred speech, and swelling in the gums. On some rare occasions, lip numbness may be accompanied be serious symptoms like changing in the color of lips to blue, or paleness in the lips. In case such symptoms become evident, it is important to visit a doctor or preferably, seek emergency medical attention.

The sensation of numbness in the lips is referred to as Paresthesias. Colloquially called Numb Lips, it is an abnormal sensation in the lips which is felt along peripheral nerve pathways, the sensation being painful or painless, fleeting or chronic.

The various causes of numb lips are as follows:

• Ciguatera Poisoning: This is a form of food poisoning caused by consumption of contaminated fish, particularly subtropical and tropical marine finfish.
• Glory Lily Poisoning: Glory Lily is a vine that bears unusual yellow and red flowers, and is generally used as an ornamental plant. The plant, particularly the roots, contains toxic chemicals, which if consumed, may lead to numb lips.
• Horseshoe Crab Poisoning: Prevalent in the Asian region, this poisoning occurs on eating poisonous parts of Asiatic horseshoe crabs. These crabs are poisonous in their reproductive seasons.
• Ethylenediamine Dihydrochloride Mix Allergy: This refers to an antagonistic reaction of the immune system to this complex compound named ethylenediamine dihydrochloride. This compound is found some medical preparations like skin creams and nose drops.
• Hypocalcemia: This refers to low levels of calcium in the blood.
• Tetany: It is an affliction caused by hypocalcemia (lack of blood calcium).
• Raynaud ’s phenomenon: It causes affliction in the extremities of blood vessels leading to reduced blood circulation and dryness in skin.
• Hyperventilation: It is a state of over-breathing, faster, and deeper breathing caused by changes in the pH level of body, in turn caused by metabolic disorders.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: It is a disorder of peripheral nervous system caused by several factors like diabetes.
• Nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamins.
• Diabetes or nerves system disorders.
• Sudden allergy to medications, fillings and food stuffs.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol.
• Overexposure to toxic chemicals like lead.

The basic home remedies for numb lips are as follows:

• Change your toothbrush on a regular basis as old tooth brushes can be a haven for organisms that cause cold sores and thrush.
• Avoid salty and acidic food, which may otherwise aggravate the pain and sensitivity associated with this condition.
• Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Apply petroleum jelly to your lips to prevent numbness and heal cracks.
• Consume foods rich in Vitamin B including cheese, yogurt, whole eggs, fish, carrot, and spinach.

In case these remedies don’t work, you should see a doctor who can examine you for any nervous disorders, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, or infections more precisely and thereby provide you with a permanent and concrete solution for the ailment.

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