My top lip is swollen

Sudden swelling may follow a new food, medicine, lip product, insect sting, or dental exposure. It can also occur with irritation, trauma, a cold sore, or a local infection. Angioedema is a deeper swelling that often affects the lips and may occur with hives, although hives are not always present. One-sided swelling with tooth pain, warmth, or pus points toward a local problem rather than a general reaction.

Stop any newly introduced lip product or suspected trigger and note when the swelling began. Use a cool compress wrapped in cloth for short periods and avoid rubbing, spicy foods, and further cosmetic products. Do not take a medicine that previously caused a reaction. If the swelling is mild but persists, recurs, or follows a new medicine, contact a clinician for a tailored plan and review of possible Angioedema.

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing, voice change, faintness, confusion, or swelling of the tongue. Seek same-day care for rapidly increasing swelling, fever, severe pain, spreading redness, or pus. Recurrent episodes need medical review even when they settle.

Tell your clinician about foods, medicines, stings, dental work, and products used before the episode. Ask whether the pattern fits Angioedema, which warning symptoms matter for you, and what action plan to follow if it returns.