Swollen Lips in Pregnancy: Third Trimester

A gradual, mild change can happen alongside general fluid retention, but lips are also easily affected by new foods, medicines, toothpaste, lip products, insect bites, or contact irritation. Itching, hives, or swelling of the tongue and eyelids can point to an allergic reaction such as angioedema. A dry, cracked, painful area may instead be irritated skin or an infection. Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or lips late in pregnancy can also occur with a blood-pressure problem and should be discussed promptly, especially when it is new or worsening.

Note when the swelling began, whether it affects one or both lips, and any recent food, medicine, supplement, cosmetic, or bite exposure. Stop a newly introduced lip product and avoid suspected triggers until a clinician advises you. A cool, clean compress may ease discomfort; do not apply prescription creams or take an antihistamine without checking with your maternity team or pharmacist. If you have a home blood-pressure monitor, record a reading as directed by your pregnancy team, without delaying care for breathing or neurological symptoms.

Call emergency services immediately for trouble breathing, wheezing, throat tightness, difficulty swallowing, faintness, or rapidly spreading swelling. Contact your maternity unit urgently for sudden facial or lip swelling with a severe headache, visual changes, pain beneath the ribs, vomiting, or feeling very unwell. Seek same-day clinical advice for fever, pus, marked tenderness, blistering, or swelling that is progressing. Even without these signs, tell your obstetric team about new lip swelling that does not settle or keeps returning.

Ask whether your symptoms fit an allergic reaction, irritation, infection, or a pregnancy-related blood-pressure concern. Ask which medicines or skin products are suitable at your stage of pregnancy, whether your blood pressure and urine need checking, and what warning signs should send you directly to the maternity unit. Bring a list of recent foods, medicines, supplements, and products, plus a photo if the swelling has changed.