Causes of a swollen face and lips

Sudden swelling around the lips, cheeks, eyelids, or tongue can be angioedema, a deeper type of tissue swelling. It may occur with hives or after food, an insect sting, a new product, or a medicine. One-sided swelling with tooth pain, warmth, redness, or fever can point toward a dental or skin infection. Swelling after a blow, bite, cosmetic procedure, or sun exposure may reflect local injury or inflammation. The appearance alone cannot identify the cause.

Stop using any newly introduced cosmetic, lip product, or cleanser and avoid a suspected trigger. Keep the area cool with a wrapped compress, and do not scratch, squeeze, or apply irritating home remedies. Note when the swelling began, whether it is spreading, and any foods, medicines, stings, or procedures beforehand. Arrange medical assessment if the swelling is unexplained, recurring, painful, or not settling. Read more about [Angioedema](/conditions/angioedema/).

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing, a changing voice, faintness, confusion, or rapidly increasing swelling of the tongue or face. Seek prompt same-day care for fever, severe pain, spreading redness, pus, eye involvement, or swelling after a significant injury. Do not wait to see whether breathing symptoms improve.

Could this be angioedema, an infection, irritation, or a medicine reaction? Which recent food, product, sting, or medicine details are useful? What warning signs should make me seek emergency care? If it returns, should I keep a trigger diary or arrange allergy assessment?