Lip Swelling Differential Diagnosis

The following is a differential diagnosis for lip swelling, categorized for clarity and importance.

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Allergic reaction (e.g., to food, insect bites, or medications): This is often the most common cause of lip swelling, characterized by rapid onset and potential for accompanying symptoms like itching, redness, and difficulty breathing in severe cases.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Angioedema: Similar to allergic reactions but can be hereditary or part of a broader condition, leading to recurrent episodes of swelling.
  • Infection (e.g., impetigo, herpes simplex): Bacterial or viral infections can cause lip swelling, often accompanied by other symptoms like pus, fever, or vesicles.
  • Trauma: Physical injury to the lip can result in swelling, which may be accompanied by pain, bruising, or lacerations.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms can include widespread swelling, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, and a drop in blood pressure.
  • Cellulitis or abscess: Severe infections that can spread and lead to more serious conditions if not treated promptly.
  • Angioedema due to ACE inhibitors: Certain medications can cause angioedema as a side effect, which can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: A rare neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, often unilateral, facial paralysis or weakness, swelling of the face and lips, and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue (fissured tongue).
  • Ascher syndrome: A rare condition characterized by the combination of double lip, blepharochalasis (excess skin of the eyelids), and nontoxic thyroid goiter.
  • Sarcoidosis: A condition in which inflammatory cells (granulomas) form in various organs, including the skin, which can cause lip swelling among other symptoms.
  • Wegener's granulomatosis (Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis): A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation of the blood vessels and lead to a variety of symptoms, including lip swelling, though this is less common.

Each of these diagnoses has distinct features and potential consequences, emphasizing the importance of a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of lip swelling.