Wondering Why Your Lips Are Feeling All Tingly? Here's Why It Could Be Happening—and One Cause That's Really Worth Paying Attention To
Woman touching her tingling lips
“Why are my lips tingling?” probably isn’t in your Google search history as often as other health questions, like “What helps a sore throat?” for example. At the same time, tingling lips is probably something many of us have experienced at some point, and it makes sense why: believe it or not, a random assortment of common causes can lead to it.
Below, a dermatologist and allergist share some of those causes, how to tell they're the culprit, how they lead to tingly lips, and how you can treat each one.
Tingling Lips: 4 Possible Causes, According to Experts
If you're wondering why your lips are tingling, these insights from both an allergist and a dermatologist should help.
1. A Cold Sore
Yep, that pesky little bump can cause more problems than pain, unfortunately.
“The most likely cause of tingling sensation on the lips in my practice would be a cold sore, aka herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection,” says Dr. Justine Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Skin and Beauty Center in California.
A couple of quick clarifications here: First, this is HSV-1, and HSV-2 is what's associated with genital herpes. Second, cold sores are different from pimples, or acne lesions often found on the back, face, and chest.
But back to cold sores. How can they cause a tingling sensation?
One word: nerves. “The virus infects nerves and continues to reside in the nerve root,” Dr. Park explains.
It’s important to note that the tingling is likely a prodromal symptom of a cold sore (AKA, you’ll feel it before you see the cold sore), according to Dr. Elena Salagean, MD, an allergist and clinical immunology specialist consultant at Holistic Allergy in the UK.
“There may be some itching and pain occurring at the time as well,” she adds. “This may be the case if you’ve had cold sores before, and [it] is usually followed by a cold sore in the area affected by the tingling one to two days later.”
Once you contract HSV, a cold sore can pop up at any time—but there are common triggers, of course. Dr. Park says a few examples include exposure to sunlight, illness and stress.
Related: The #1 Thing Most People Don't Know Can Cause a Cold Sore, According to Dermatologists
How to treat a cold sore
A few steps can help cold sores go away faster, such as applying a cold compress and dabbing an antiviral cream. To prevent cold sores, consider taking lysine, keeping your stress low and your immunity high, and not using a utensil or cup directly after someone else.
2. Nutritional Deficiencies
Dr. Park mentions low magnesium, low calcium and low blood glucose as a few examples. Vitamin deficiencies can cause tingling too, as certain vitamins are crucial to the functioning of the nervous system. Depending on what you’re deficient in, you might also notice fatigue or weakness, muscle cramps, dry skin and more.
“These are rare conditions that cause lip-tingling, however, are important to be aware of as they are treatable and can even be critical to saving a patient’s life,” she adds.
Further, many other conditions can be at play simultaneously and need to be evaluated, so seeing a healthcare provider is crucial.
“Low calcium levels can occur due to an endocrinologic disorder that can lead to irregular heartbeats and even death; low sugar glucose levels can lead to a coma,” she continues.
If she suspects any of these are the case, she conducts a thorough history and physical, orders blood work, and refers out as needed.
How to treat nutritional deficiencies
This one is pretty self-explanatory, at least in non-serious cases: Once you figure out what you’re deficient in, consume more of that through food, or talk to a healthcare provider about a multivitamin or supplement.
Examples of foods with lots of calcium and magnesium include almonds, yogurt and edamame. But again, that’s only a few to get you started.
3. Low Oxygen Levels
Speaking of deficiencies, this is another one Dr. Park lists, and it's definitely a scary one that's worth seeing a doctor about. However, it does come with other symptoms. Other symptoms of low oxygen levels, also referred to as hypoxemia, include a headache, wheezing, a racing heartbeat, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
How to treat low oxygen levels
Breathing in fresh air and utilizing breathing techniques are good go-to options, as well as talking to a healthcare provider, of course.
4. Hypersensitivity or an Allergic Reaction
Dr. Park says a hypersensitivity reaction to food, medication or other physical stimuli is the second most common cause in her practice. If you have oral allergy syndrome, eating a type of produce that’s been in contact with pollen can even cause this.
One giveaway sign you’re having an allergic reaction pertains to the timing of your symptoms. “Allergic reactions tend to occur very quickly after exposure to the allergen,” Dr. Salagean says. “If the tingling sensation in the lips develops shortly after eating a specific food or taking medication, this points towards an allergic reaction.”
This is especially likely if you continue to have symptoms after interacting with that food or medication, she adds. “You may want to see a specialist and get an allergy test done.”
Other signs she shares are hives, itchiness, swelling of the eyes, shortness of breath, and wheezing that occur at the same time.
“In these cases, a detailed history and physical examination would be taken to ensure that we could attempt to link the symptom to a particular trigger,” Dr. Park says.
How to treat the hypersensitivity reaction
Thankfully, you can practice preventive and reactive care with this cause.
Regarding the former, Dr. Park encourages avoiding potential triggers. You may still accidentally come into contact with them sometimes—no judgment!—in which treatment is available. Oral histamines and topical steroids are a helpful start, according to Dr. Park.
And of course, look out for any worsening symptoms or more concerning signs. “If there is swelling of the tongue and throat, the patient would need to go to the emergency room for immediate care,” she adds.
In short, the reason behind tingly lips can be serious or just frustrating, as well as a fast fix or a slow one. Your best bet is to consider other symptoms and circumstances so you can determine the right next move.
Next up, check out this list of 30 best lip balms for softer lips.
Sources
Dr. Justine Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist
Dr. Elena Salagean, MD, an allergist and clinical immunology specialist consultant
By the way, doctor: Does lysine prevent cold sores?, Harvard Health
The Feeling of Pins and Needles Explained, UnityPoint Health
Signs You May Have a Magnesium Deficiency, Cleveland Clinic
Hypocalcemia, Cleveland Clinic
Hypoxemia, Cleveland Clinic
Blood Oxygen Level, Cleveland Clinic
Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), Stanford Health Care
