Many of us may feel the numbness in the lips during the winter season and some may feel it anytime in the year. So, if you are suffering from the numbness or tingling in the lips then, this is must read article for you.
So, let’s see what are the numb lips, causes, symptoms of numb lips and some easily available home remedies to cure them.
Table of Contents
What Are Numb Lips?
Numb Lips are a symptom in which your lips go numb and an abnormal sensation can be experienced in the lips. You may experience numb lips as a complete or partial lack of feelings in your lips.
The abnormal sensation occurred in the lips are medically called, paresthesia. In layman language, this normal sensation is called Tingling or Numbness in the lips.
A numb lip just occurs for a short while and then disappears, or it could be a permanent problem. At times, numb lips may also be accompanied by some amount of swelling.
Numbness in the lips can be occurred due to some disease as well. Therefore, it is very important to trace the cause behind it and to treat the cause before it becomes permanent.
What Are The Causes of Numb Lips?
It is very difficult to identify one single cause behind the numbness in the lips because there are so many factors that could produce this sensation. Here, we have enlisted some common causes that produce tingling in the lips:
1. Allergies:
This is one of the main cause of lip numbness. Sometimes, having a certain food can lead to severe allergies in the mouth, which causes sores, redness, swelling as well as numbness of the tongue and lips.
Therefore, often people assume that it has been caused by something they have eaten. Allergies can include medicines as well.
2. Poisonous Food:
Sometimes, people consume toxic or poisonous substances or foods by mistake, which can lead to lip numbness. Numbness in the lips can also be occurred by consuming foods like Horseshoe Crab and Tropical Fin Fish.
The plants like Glory Lily, if consumed could also be the reason behind the numbness.
3. Alcohol and Tobacco:
People who are addicted to tobacco and imbibe excess alcohol on a regular basis may sometimes experience numbness in their lips.
4. Cold And Hot Food:
Eating very cold and hot food can induce temporarily feeling of numbness. Your lips may also become numb if you have a sore near your mouth.
5. Pregnancy:
Some pregnant women experience the numbness in the lips. The reason behind it is not clear yet but it may be because of allergies. Pregnant woman’s body experience pressure on a particular nerve that can lead to hormonal changes and these hormonal changes can cause allergies.
6. Dental Problems:
Some people experience lip numbness just after the Root Canal, Tooth Extraction or some other dental procedure. However, it lasts for no more than 8 to 10 hours or so.
7. Mineral Deficiencies:
Mineral Deficiencies can also lead to the numbness of the lips. If your body has low phosphate, potassium or sodium your bloodstream will have an imbalance of chemicals.
When your body has lack of calcium then a condition occurs, called hypocalcemia. This is a serious medical problem which can lead to the tingling of the lips.
8. Neurological Conditions:
The numbness of the lips can also be caused by some neurological conditions like trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis. The functioning of the body is affected by neurological conditions and as a result, heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure also get affected.
These all problems can also be a reason behind the abnormal sensation of the lips.
9. Poor Circulation:
When the skin of the lips feel constricted, you might feel numbness and tingle in your lips. Because of poor circulation of the blood in the lips, the color will change to blue from white then to red or pink.
10. Environmental Changes:
Sometimes during the winter season, temperature becomes so low, at some places it falls below zero and if somebody is exposed to subzero temperature, the numbness can be caused in his\her lips.
Ailments That Cause Numbness Of Lip:
Some of the common ailments that cause numbness in the lips are:
i. Disorder of Nervous System:
Numbness is one of the prime symptoms of disorder an of the nervous system, especially when sensory nerves are damaged by any disease. The job of the sensory nerves is to deliver message signals from the body to the brain and the orders to the body parts from the brain. When it gets damaged, one starts feeling numbness in various parts of the body including lips.
ii. Hypocalcemia:
Hypocalcemia means when the blood starts losing calcium in it. This can be a reason of some medication or some other disease.
That is why a person starts feeling numbness in his/her lips. This can be easily cured, by checking the quantity of calcium and phosphate in the blood and take a proper medication.
iii. Raynaud’s Phenomenon:
This is a phenomenon in which blood vessels feel constricted. This constriction stops the flow of oxygen in the blood vessels. Because of which, the skin starts turning blue. This constriction leads to the numbness of the lips.
iv. Tetany:
Tetany is a state of increased excitability of nerve and muscle, characterized by muscle spasms. The increased excitability causes spontaneous tingling in the lips. The low contents of calcium in the body increases excitability and high calcium contents diminish it.
v. Diabetes:
Diabetes can also lead to the numbness in the lips. When the content of insulin increases in the body, it affects the nervous system of the body. Because of that some parts of the body might feel numb, lips are one of them.
Now, we will discuss some common problems which can be occurred along with numb lips. These problems can a be serious one, if one doesn’t take care of them. Numb lips can cause Anxiety and Tingling in Tongue as well.
vi. Stroke
In some cases, tingling may be due the to minor stroke.
How Numb Lips and Anxiety Are Related?
Anxiety can be caused when your breaths are too fast and shallow. Numbness in the lips can cause anxiety. The numbness in the lips can persistently affect the whole lips. When you touch your lips it totally feels numb or frozen.
This numbness feeling can come and go rarely, this is an on and off feeling. For example, you may feel numbness once a while or feel it all the time.
The Numbness feeling may accompany the anxiety sensations. Because of numbness Anxiety, Nervousness and fear can be occurred.
The main reason behind the numbness is Stress; Stress causes Numbness.Tingling is also symptom of Anxiety. A person who is suffering from numbness, always have an urge to get rid of this feeling, which causes stress and the person feels anxious.
Other reason why anxiety causes numbness or tingling on tip of tongue may be due to some fight or you might have traveled by plane i.e a flight response.
But, this anxiety is not permanent, as your body calms down; it brings an end to the stress response.
Numb Lips and Tingling Tongue:
Numbness in the tongue, medically known as Paresthesia of the tongue, most commonly occurs due to the damage of the nervous system. But, it can also occur along with the numb lips.
Tingling on the tip of the tongue may be caused due to migraines.
If both areas, tongue, and lip, are numb on one side of the mouth, then the pressure on the nerve can come from swelling of the tooth or more serious than a tooth.
Tingling tongue can be due to some allergy. It can also be caused due to some dental operation.
If both areas, tongue and lip, are numb on both sides of the mouth, it could be because of diabetes or some other ailment.
Tingling in the lips and tongue can sometimes be a side effect of drug. Consult your doctor immediately, if you experience such problem.
Symptoms of Numb Lips:
There are so many symptoms that accompany the numb lips. These symptoms may indicate a serious or life-threatening conditions. Here, we will talk about some symptoms that can occur along with the numb lips.
i. Lip symptoms:
Here, we have some lip symptoms that can occur along with the numb lips.
- Bleeding
- Prickling Sensation
- Burning feeling
- Tingling or other sensations
- Swelling
- Redness
ii. Digestive symptoms:
Numb lips can also accompany the symptoms that can cause problems in digestive system. So, here are some digestive symptoms that can occur along with the numb lips;
- Loss of bladder control
- Change in bowel movements
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Dizziness
iii. Neurological symptoms:
As we know that, the problem in neurological system can directly cause numbness in the lips. So; there are some neurological symptoms which occur along with the lip numbness.
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Difficulty in walking
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle twitching
iv. Serious symptoms:
In some situations, numb lips can be a life-threatening problem that is why they should be cured immediately. Contact your doctor immediately, if you have any of the following symptoms along with the numb lips.
- Inability to speak
- Breathing problems such as difficulty in breathing, choking, wheezing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden swelling of face, lips or tongue
If someone has any of the above symptoms, he/she needs to take care of them, in order to get rid of numb lips.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Numb Lips:
There is a solution of every problem. Numbness can turn out to be a serious medical condition. But don’t worry there are some amazing home remedies that can cure Numb Lips. Let’s take a look on some of them:
1. Honey:
Honey is a very good moisturizer. Apply it directly on your lips before going to bed. You can also try ghee or butter along with honey, which is easily available at home.
2. Cinnamon:
Cinnamon can help in reducing the tingling effect in the lips. So, take a glass of warm water, add a tablespoon of cinnamon and consume it daily in the morning.
3. Turmeric:
Drinking a glass of turmeric milk could help in reducing the numbness because turmeric contains curcumin, the compound which helps in reducing pain. You can also take Turmeric Supplements daily. Consult your doctor before taking any supplement.
4. Ginkgo Biloba:
Ginkgo Biloba, a popular herb which is used in Ayurveda, can improve blood circulation and reduce the numbness in the lips. It is available in the market in the form of supplements. Consult your doctor before taking it.
5. Lemon Mint Extract/ Mint Grass
Herbs like Lemon mint extract, mint grass are very helpful in getting rid of the numb and tingling lips, in case of herpes virus. Also, lysine supplements, and milk based medicated products can help you in facing the problem.
6. Moisturizers:
Moisturizers can help to protect your lips from the extreme temperatures that can cause numbness in your lips. Petroleum jelly is one of the best moisturizers. Keep one tube of moisturizing lip balm with you at all times.
Petroleum jelly can keep your lips protected from the extreme temperatures that may lead to numbness in your lips. Always try to carry a small tube of petroleum jelly or any other moisturizing lip balm with you.
Cover your lips with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to prevent chapping and numbness. Exposure to cold temperature often causes numbness in lips. Petroleum jelly is one great way to counter this numbness.
7. Use Basil Leaves
Basil leaves are amazing for treating different mouth-related issues. Either rub a few basil leaves on your lips or chew a couple of them for getting instant relief.
8. Mustard Oil/Coconut Oil
Take some amount of mustard oil and warm it, not too warm. Then apply the oil gently on your lips and keep massaging for 15-20 minutes or so. Do it thrice a day. Also, Coconut oil is very good for strengthening the muscles. Thus, you can use coconut oil in the same away to cure numbness of lips or surrounding areas.
9. Chamomile
You can brew its herbal tea or apply a cream made from chamomile flowers on the affected area. Besides preventing numbness, chamomile also cures mouth sores and other skin ailments.
10. Sage
Sage is a very important herb. It improves the blood circulation in our body. Thus, increase the intake of this herb in your diet.
11. The pressure of Fingers:
When numbness or twitching starts, apply a pressure to your lips with your fingers, to stop the twitching immediately.
12. Magnesium/ Potassium Rich Food:
Magnesium and Potassium rich foods can also help in dealing with the numbness. A diet rich in magnesium and potassium can help in improving blood circulation in the lips.
Banana, Watermelon and other vegetables and fruits which are rich in potassium and magnesium should be included in the diet, in order to reduce numbness in the lips.
13. Eat More Vitamin B Foods:
The foods which are rich in vitamin B should be an important part of your diet, especially B6 and B12. These vitamins help in proper functioning of nervous system, which is a main reason of the numbness of the lips.
Some vitamin B6 and B12 rich foods are cereals, eggs, avocados, oatmeal, beans, fish, meats, banana, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, yogurt, and milk.
14. Dietary Supplements:
Lack of balanced diet is one of the reasons behind numbness of the lips. Suitable dietary supplements and healthy food can help in getting rid of the numbness in the lips. Start taking the balanced diet to permanently get rid of this problem.
15. Warm Cloth:
Use a warm cloth over the lip, which can also help in reducing the numbness, because it could be helpful in improving the blood circulation in the lips.
16. Message:
Massage of your lips with Olive oil, Coconut oil or Ghee can also help in reducing numbness in the lips. Don’t rub your lip, just massage them gently.
16. Exercise and Yoga:
Stress and Fatigue can cause numbness. Stress can be reduced by practicing yoga and stress buster exercises. Also, start doing facial yoga, because it can help in improving the blood circulation around the lips.
17. Avoid Acidic Foods And Salt
Avoid salty and acidic foods which can aggravate cold sores to cause more agony and numbness. They may otherwise increase the pain and sensitivity associated with this condition.
18. Change Your Toothbrush
Change your toothbrush on a regular basis as old tooth brushes can be great homes for organisms that cause thrush and cold sores.
19. Say No To Carbonated Drinks
People suffering from numbness in lips should put a stop on having any kind of beverage comprising of carbon dioxide in it.
20. Relax
Indulge yourself in some relaxing activity like yoga or aerobics. These can help you distress as does walking or listening to music. You can also go for a tranquilizing hot bath. Dissolve some Epsom salts as they help in relaxation. It further helps in flushing out the toxins from one’s body.
Some Questions To diagnose the cause of tingling lips
Some questions that doctor will ask you to diagnose the condition are:
- From How long You are experiencing numb lips?
- Did it occur suddenly?
- Remember the food you ate before you had a sensation?
- Are there some other abnormalities you are facing?
- What are the medications you are taking?
Complications Of Numb Lips?
There may be some serious problem as:
a. Nerve problem
b. Permanent brain damage
Numbness in the lips is not a major concern; it can be cured by home remedies. The patients of some major diseases need to take care of it seriously. If some major problem occurs then you should consult your doctor immediately.
You may also like reading:
