What Causes Recurrent Lip Swelling Despite Being On Oral Steroid?

Posted on Thu, 12 May 2016

Question: Hello, I have had recurrent lip swelling since Dec. 3. either on the top or bottom. My doctor prescribed oral steroid about 40 days ago. It stopped it for a while. He also prescribed clarinex to take with that as well. I still take one clarinex tab every so often. but I had my bottom lip swell one day last week for no reason it seemed and today my top lip swelled after lunch. It usually will go down in about 4 or 5 hours. Last week when it swelled I had taken a 1000mg L-Argenine tablet in the AM. Today I took nothing at all. Don't know what is really causing this. I did have unprotected sex back in October and November in a monogamous relationship I was in at that time for about a year. We then broke up. I have also read athat some preservatives can cause this? Help?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with hives or what we call urticaria. frequently we never know what is the cause of the hives. You could possibly see an allergist who can do the skin testing and then start you on immunotherapy to reduce the reactions.

You are already taking the correct medications to help reduce the hives. If you still have reactions other options are doxepin and cimetadine. Long use of prednisone is not recommended due to increase risk of diabetes, bone loss and obesity.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Thanks. Yes my doctor said it was urticaria also. But I don't have hives anymore. Just the lip swells. What causes this?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Lip Swelling=urticaria

Detailed Answer:
The lip swelling is the urticaria.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (24 minutes later)

Ok but what causes urticaria. Never used to have that. Is it an allergic reaction. This cannot continue.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Urticaria is allergic reaction

Detailed Answer:
Yes your swelling is caused by your body being allergic to something. That is why I recommend seeing an allergist. They maybe able to pinpoint what your allergic to and find a way to avoid these episodes

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar