Why Are My Lips Numb?

There are a number of reasons that lips can become numb, and causes can range from benign and temporary conditions to chronic and serious illness. Causes of numb lips can include:

• Dental visit with an anesthetic such as procaine (Novocain)
• Prolonged cold exposure
• Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS)
  • Also called oral allergy syndrome or OAS
  • Is an allergic reaction to a plant-based food, such as raw veggies, fresh fruits, or seeds such as fennel or sunflower

  What Symptoms May Accompany Numb Lips?

  Other symptoms that may accompany numb lips include:

  • Dental visit with an anesthetic
    • Chills
    • Headache
    • Shivering and chills
    • Swelling and/or itching of the tongue, throat, or roof of the mouth
    • Swelling of the uvula in the back of the throat
    • Throat tightening
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Sore throat
    • Muscle aches
    • Swollen lymph nodes
    • Burning feeling in fingertips or toes
    • Dry, rough skin
    • Fragile nails
    • Depression
    • Anxiety
    • Fatigue
    • Weakness
    • Hair loss
    • Muscle aches, cramps, or twitches
    • Painful menstrual periods
    • Numbness or prickly feeling can also affect other parts of the face, body, arms, and legs
    • Bladder or bowel problems
    • Vision problems
    • Dizziness
    • Difficulty walking
    • Stiff muscles
    • Weakness
    • Fatigue
    • Tingling and numbness of lips, legs, arms, and fingers
    • Lips, legs, arms, and fingers may turn pale or white
    • Skin color changes from white to blue to bright red, when oxygenated blood rushes back
    • Throbbing or a warm tingling feeling when blood returns
    • Numbness in the mouth and face, especially on one side
    • Dizziness and balance problems
    • Facial drooping on one si de
    • Severe headache
    • Slurred speech
    • Vision problems
    • Weakness on one side of the body
    • Confusion
    • Problems walking

    What Is the Treatment for Numb Lips?

    • Dental visit with an anesthetic
      • No treatment needed
      • Numbness will wear off after a few hours
      • Get into a warm environment
      • Drink warm beverages
      • Rinse the mouth with water to remove traces of food
      • Avoid trigger foods, especially raw foods
      • Call 911 if you have difficulty swallowingi>
      • Often no treatment is needed and cold sores heal on their own
      • See a doctor if a cold sore lasts more than 15 days
      • Medications to raise the levels of some minerals in the body
      • Mineral supplements
      • Numbness tends to come and go
      • Corticosteroids may be prescribed in severe cases
      • Avoid sudden exposure to the cold
      • Don’t smoke
      • Practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga or meditatio n
      • Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 and get to a hospital immediately.
      • Treatments include
        • An intravenous (IV) drug to dissolve clots and helps blood flow
        • A mechanical device to trap or breaks up the clot
        • Special clips to support fragile blood vessels
        • Surgery

        From

        Oral Health Resources

        • Bad Breath: See How to Stop It
        • Natural Ways to Whiten Your Teeth