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What Causes Cold Lips?
Question: My lips are always cold to the touch or when kissing. My partners always bring this to my attention. I've had this symptom for many years. What are the possible causes? Is it poor circulation?
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
It doesn't seem to be a problem with circulation because in these case you would have cyanosis and your lips would have a blue color.You also would have cold extremities with cyanosis in fingers and toes.
This is very an uncommon symptom if despite this you are healthy with no major condition like heart disease or lung disease that would explain it.
Sometimes anemia can cause cold extremities and in this case your lips would be pale and probably cold.
Hypothyroidism can also cause cold skin and an overall intolerance to cold.
In all these cases you would have associated symptoms.
Only cold lips with no objective changes in color and with no other symptoms that would suggest a specific medical condition ,is not indicative for a pathological cause.
You may consult your physician for a complete evaluation ,including a detailed medical history and physical examination to see if this might be due to an underlying condition.
Your doctor may order some tests like :
-Complete blood count to exclude anemia
-Thyroid function tests
-ECG and heart ultrasound.
If these tests are normal and your physical examination is normal ,then you don't need to worry.It might be just a normal finding;
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
It doesn't seem to be a problem with circulation because in these case you would have cyanosis and your lips would have a blue color.You also would have cold extremities with cyanosis in fingers and toes.
This is very an uncommon symptom if despite this you are healthy with no major condition like heart disease or lung disease that would explain it.
Sometimes anemia can cause cold extremities and in this case your lips would be pale and probably cold.
Hypothyroidism can also cause cold skin and an overall intolerance to cold.
In all these cases you would have associated symptoms.
Only cold lips with no objective changes in color and with no other symptoms that would suggest a specific medical condition ,is not indicative for a pathological cause.
You may consult your physician for a complete evaluation ,including a detailed medical history and physical examination to see if this might be due to an underlying condition.
Your doctor may order some tests like :
-Complete blood count to exclude anemia
-Thyroid function tests
-ECG and heart ultrasound.
If these tests are normal and your physical examination is normal ,then you don't need to worry.It might be just a normal finding;
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubts to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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