The child's lower lip suddenly swells

Children are in a critical period of physical development. If they are not careful, they will develop some diseases. Children's physical resistance is very poor, and these diseases are likely to cause harm to their future health. If you notice that your child's lower lip suddenly swells, it is most likely due to cheilitis. There are many causes of cheilitis, which may be an allergy to some food additives or a gastrointestinal disease.

Allergic cheilitis is a cheilitis caused by contact with allergens. Allergic cheilitis (angioneuroic edema) and contact cheilitis (contact cheilitis) both fall into this range.

Causes

The antigens or haptens that cause allergic cheilitis include certain specific foods, food additives, drugs, intestinal parasites, exudates from infection foci, animal and plant inhalants, etc. Trauma, cold stimulation, emotional fluctuations, menstruation, etc. may induce this disease. When the antigen enters the body for the second time, it can trigger a type I allergic reaction. It leads to the release of histamine, slow-reacting substances, etc., causing the expansion of mucosal capillaries, increased permeability of the vessel walls, and tissue edema. Contact cheilitis is a type IV allergic reaction caused by direct contact of the red part of the lips with allergens, such as lipstick, various cosmetics, and certain medicines.

Clinical manifestations

Allergic cheilitis

It is more common on the upper lip, with diffuse swelling and unclear boundaries, and may also affect the nose and cheekbones. The lips are prominent and upturned, tight and shiny, flexible to the touch, and without pitting edema. The skin around the mouth is normal or slightly red. There is no other discomfort except tightness, swelling and mild itching and heat. Other loose tissue parts of the patient's body may also be affected at the same time, such as eyelids, earlobes, scrotum, tongue, pharynx, etc. may also swell. Excessive swelling of the tongue and throat may affect the esophagus and airway, causing difficulty breathing, chest tightness, palpitations, and even suffocation. Lip swelling often occurs suddenly, lasts for several hours, and then gradually subsides without leaving any trace. If the disease recurs repeatedly in the same area, the swelling may persist or not subside completely, making it difficult to return to its original state.

Contact cheilitis

It is a delayed allergic reaction. Similar lip symptoms often occur after a period of contact with allergens such as lipstick. But there is no swelling in other parts of the body except the lips.

The lesions are mainly located on the lips, but can also spread to the surrounding skin. Symptoms are relieved after contact stops, but worsen again when used.

The main symptoms in the acute phase are redness, swelling, blisters, erosion and scabs; the main symptoms in the chronic phase are dryness, desquamation, chapped skin and thickening of the mucosa. Chronic recurrent attacks may develop into white spots or wart-like nodules. Chronic contact cheilitis may become cancerous and should be taken seriously.

Check Edit

The blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in the subepithelial connective tissue are dilated, blood cell exudation and localized edema are seen outside the blood vessels, and there is inflammatory cell infiltration.

treat

Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines are taken orally. Such as chlorpheniramine, cyproheptadine, astemizole, terfenadine, etc., you can choose 1 to 2 types, but be careful not to engage in high-altitude operations, motor vehicle driving, etc. after taking the medicine to prevent accidents due to drowsiness. Traditional Chinese medicine such as Fangfeng Tongsheng Powder and Qingying Decoction can be used to dispel wind and heat, strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. If a patient is suffocating due to edema in the throat or tongue, endotracheal intubation or tracheotomy should be performed immediately.

prevention

Find the allergen and avoid contact. Use lip balm with caution.

Related drugs

Histamine, epinephrine, chlorpheniramine, astemizole, terfenadine