Published on: 3/5/2025
Swollen lips when you wake up can come from things like allergies, fluid build-up overnight, or even rare conditions like lupus. It helps to look at patterns and other symptoms to understand why it happens.
There are several reasons why your lips might be swollen in the morning. One common cause is an allergic reaction. This can be due to something you ate before bed, a new lip product, or even dust or pet dander in your bedroom. When your body reacts to these allergens, your lips may become inflamed and puffy. Another possibility is that fluid builds up in your body while you sleep, sometimes related to your sleep position or mild inflammation. Doctors have found that lip swelling can be a tricky condition to diagnose because it might be a sign of something simple like an allergy or something more complex. For instance, in rare cases, persistent swelling of the lips has been associated with autoimmune conditions like lupus. If you notice that the swelling happens regularly or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor. They can help determine if there is an underlying condition or if it might be related to environmental triggers or even a reaction to medication.
(References)
Błochowiak KJ, Kamiński B, Witmanowski H, Sokalski J. Selected presentations of lip enlargement: clinical manifestation and differentiation. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2018 Feb;35(1):18-25. doi: 10.5114/ada.2018.73160. Epub 2018 Feb 20. PMID: 29599668; PMCID: PMC5872243.
Lakhani S, Barnett S, Tappuni AR, Rajakulasingam RK. Recurrent lip swelling: a diagnostic challenge. BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Aug 21;2014:bcr2013203018. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-203018. PMID: 25188924; PMCID: PMC4154022.
Nikoo A, Daneshpazhooh M, Fahim S, Ghanadan A, Mahmoudi H, Izadi Firoozabadi L. Persistent lip enlargement: An unusual presentation of lupus erythematosus. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2016 Dec 22;3(2):96-99. doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2016.11.005. PMID: 28560303; PMCID: PMC5440449.
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