Why Are My Lips Numb?

There are a number of reasons that lips can become numb, and causes can range from benign and temporary conditions to chronic and serious illness. Causes of numb lips can include: 

• Dental visit with an anesthetic such as procaine (Novocain)
• Prolonged cold exposure
• Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) 
  • Also called oral allergy syndrome or OAS
  • Is an allergic reaction to a plant-based food, such as raw veggies, fresh fruits, or seeds such as fennel or sunflower
• Cold sores (fever blisters)
• Low parathyroid hormone (hypoparathyroidism)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Raynaud’s syndrome (also called Raynaud’s phenomenon) 
• Stroke

Other symptoms that may accompany numb lips include:

• Dental visit with an anesthetic 
  • Chills
  • Headache
• Prolonged cold exposure
  • Shivering and chills
• Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) 
  • Swelling and/or itching of the tongue, throat, or roof of the mouth 
  • Swelling of the uvula in the back of the throat
  • Throat tightening
• Cold sores (fever blisters)
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes
• Low parathyroid hormone (hypoparathyroidism)
  • Burning feeling in fingertips or toes
  • Dry, rough skin 
  • Fragile nails
  • Depression 
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue 
  • Weakness
  • Hair loss
  • Muscle aches, cramps, or twitches
  • Painful menstrual periods
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Numbness or prickly feeling can also affect other parts of the face, body, arms, and legs
  • Bladder or bowel problems
  • Vision problems 
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty walking 
  • Stiff muscles
  • Weakness 
  • Fatigue
• Raynaud’s syndrome (also called Raynaud’s phenomenon) 
  • Tingling and numbness of lips, legs, arms, and fingers 
  • Lips, legs, arms, and fingers may turn pale or white
  • Skin color changes from white to blue to bright red, when oxygenated blood rushes back
  • Throbbing or a warm tingling feeling when blood returns
• Stroke
  • Numbness in the mouth and face, especially on one side
  • Dizziness and balance problems
  • Facial drooping on one side
  • Severe headache
  • Slurred speech
  • Vision problems
  • Weakness on one side of the body 
  • Confusion
  • Problems walking

• Dental visit with an anesthetic 
  • No treatment needed
  • Numbness will wear off after a few hours
• Prolonged cold exposure
  • Get into a warm environment
  • Drink warm beverages
• Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS)
  • Rinse the mouth with water to remove traces of food
  • Avoid trigger foods, especially raw foods
  • Call 911 if you have difficulty swallowing 
• Cold sores
  • Often no treatment is needed and cold sores heal on their own
  • See a doctor if a cold sore lasts more than 15 days 
• Low parathyroid hormone (hypoparathyroidism)
  • Medications to raise the levels of some minerals in the body
  • Mineral supplements
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Numbness tends to come and go
  • Corticosteroids may be prescribed in severe cases
• Raynaud’s syndrome (also called Raynaud’s phenomenon)  
  • Avoid sudden exposure to the cold
  • Don’t smoke
  • Practice stress reduction techniques such as yoga or meditation
• Stroke
  • Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 and get to a hospital immediately.
  • Treatments include 
    • An intravenous (IV) drug to dissolve clots and helps blood flow
    • A mechanical device to trap or breaks up the clot
    • Special clips to support fragile blood vessels
    • Surgery