Hello! It's the second time in a couple of months that I get that! Within a matter of minutes, my lips (and around my lips) start itching really badly, then then swell a little and beocme quite red and feel almost like I have pins and needles in them. Last time, after a couple of days, the became reaaaaally dry and the skin around them started peeling pretty badly. I think it's going to be the same this time.
The first time, I had just taken some antibiotics so I thought it was an allergic reaction (can't remember the name of the antibiotic) although it was like two days later. This time, I have no idea...
Has anyone ever had that? I googled it and doctors seem tot hink it's eczema! But does eczema come in a few minutes like that, without any warning??
Thanks!
xx
Hmmm.... swollen itchy lips are certainly a sign of an allergy. In fact its one of the signs of anaphylaxis. Is your breathing affected (i.e. do you wheeze) when your lips swell? I suffer from eczema and it doesn't affect me in the way you describe - however it is worth noting that eczema can be triggered by an allergy (mine, for example, is to milk - but cats/dustmites/grass also trigger it).
If you have any breathing problems at the same time - then you should go and see your GP, because anaphylaxis (by definition) can kill you by restricting your breathing to the point where your eosophagus is completely closed.
To me, though, it certainly sounds like an allergic reaction - because these come on really quickly. The itchiness is caused by the localised activity of white blood cells trying to jump on whatever the problem is. The swelling is caused by your immune system trying to deal with the foreign body (i.e. allergen) - much the same way as when you get scratched by a cat the scratch swells up because of foreign bacteria under a cat's claws getting into the wound.
Er... don't mean to be alarmist - but any allergic response which affects your breathing should be looked at by a GP.
Ava x
No, I had no breathing problem at all! So I wasn't too alarmed.
24h later, my lips are still a little swollen and quite red, and itchy, and also around my nose a little, and behind my ears. I also noticed a few red patches on my tummy, chest and back! Very strange... I have put a little bit of steroid cream around my lips, and also used a tea bag - I had read on internet that it can help with the swelling and itching, and it does!
I do agree it sounds like an allergy. I have written down everything's I have eaten in case it comes back again!
What do the patches look like, are they like weals ? Could be urticaria, take antihistamines, see how it goes, til you see your doc.
I can't get anti-histamines over the counter here in France... 🙁 This kind of things always happens to me during long weekends, too!
I don't really have weals, although there is a little raised area under my mouth, where it's itchiest. Maybe I'll call the doc tomorrow anyway...
Have you called your Dr, Claire ?
We can obtain anithistamines in the supermarkets here, altho I get mine from my Dr.