What should you know about both lips being swollen?

Angioedema is swelling in deeper skin layers and can affect the lips, sometimes with hives and sometimes without them. A new food, medicine, supplement, cosmetic, toothpaste, or lip product may trigger a reaction. Irritation from biting, heat, wind, or a fragranced product can also inflame both lips. Infection is more concerning when swelling is painful and accompanied by warmth, pus, fever, sores, or spreading redness. The timing matters: note what happened shortly before the swelling and whether it is worsening, recurring, or affecting the mouth or throat.

Stop any newly introduced lip, oral, or cosmetic product and rinse the mouth gently if an irritant may be involved. Keep the lips cool with a clean cool compress and avoid picking, rubbing, or applying several creams. If a clinician has previously prescribed an emergency allergy plan, follow that plan. Photograph the swelling and record foods and medicines taken before it began. Do not delay assessment because the swelling is on both sides.

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, wheezing, throat tightness, trouble swallowing, tongue swelling, dizziness, faintness, or rapidly increasing swelling. Seek prompt care for fever, severe pain, pus, or spreading redness. If the swelling is mild but does not settle, keeps returning, or began after a medicine, arrange medical review to identify the trigger and plan future care.

Could this be angioedema or contact irritation? Which foods, medicines, or products should I avoid? Do I need an allergy plan? What symptoms should prompt emergency treatment if this happens again?