Your lips can swell if you come into contact with a known or suspected allergen such as a stinging insect or food. This process, called angioedema, is caused by an allergic reaction. Rarely, angioedema can develop from leukemia or Hodgkin's disease. If you have inherited your angioedema, it is called hereditary angioedema.
Food Allergies
An allergy to a specific food can cause lip swelling, also called angioedema. Your body responds to a protein in the food you are allergic to because it perceives that protein to be a threat. Others may not respond in the same way, and if you are the child of parents with a food allergy, you are at higher risk of developing an allergy to different foods, states the HealthCentral website.
Foods
A child at risk of developing a food allergy may react to cow's milk, peanuts, wheat or eggs. Seafood and peanut allergies are more common for older children -- these include foods made with soy, Brazil nuts, pecans and almonds. Adults with food allergies leading to angioedema may also be allergic to peanuts, dairy products or shellfish, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Symptoms
Symptoms of food allergy include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, hives, itching, tingling of the mouth, lips and throat and swelling of the lips. The tingling and swelling may begin immediately after eating a food containing an allergen.
A severe reaction can cause the upper airways to swell, leading to breathing difficulties. In the most severe reactions, you can develop anaphylaxis, which requires emergency medical help, including an injection of epinephrine.
Process of Angioedema
Angioedema is a swelling that takes place immediately below the skin's surface, usually around the eyes and lips. If hives accompany the lip swelling, they are generally caused by an allergic reaction to medication or a food.
As the reaction begins, your body starts producing histamines, forcing your blood vessels to swell. This reaction can develop within just a few minutes or it may develop over a period of several hours. This allergic reaction can range from mild to severe -- at its most severe, it is life-threatening, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Treatment
The most reliable treatment for swelling of the lips is to avoid any known or suspected allergens. If you are not sure you are allergic to a particular food, avoid it until you are tested by an allergist. Wear a medical bracelet that identifies you as suffering from food or insect sting allergies.
If you do inadvertently come into contact with an allergen, take an over-the-counter antihistamine -- it is a good idea to carry medication with you at all times. If your reaction is severe, you need immediate emergency medical attention so medical personnel can ensure your airway is open.
Insect Bites and Stings
If you are allergic to insect bites or stings, you may be allergic to bees, fleas, spiders, wasps, hornets or mosquitoes. When you are stung, the insect injects venom under the surface of your skin. One allergic reaction is angioedema -- your body swells, especially areas of your face. You are more likely to develop an allergic reaction to a stinging rather than a biting insect, writes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Member Comments