Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Swelling And Burning Sensation On The Lips?
Question: For 3 weeks now my lips have been swollen, burning and cracked. I had been in contact with the flower of a Peace Lily Plant (which if you google tells you can cause this). My MD gave me a shot of Cortisone and an Anti-fungal cream to put on, but none of that was any help at all. I have a red rim around the outline of my lips it's burning and I am at a loss of what to do at this point. Can someone please help?
Brief Answer:
course of steroids (oral and topical), anti inflammatory med
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
As you stated the Peace lily plant can cause dermatitis (inflammation/irritation) of the skin and inflammation of underlying tissues.
This is thought to be related to the crystals in the plant.
Since it is an inflammatory response, decreasing inflammation may help eg: (1) a course not only one shot of steroids. A 3 to 5 day course of prednisolone may be helpful
(2)continuing the antihistamine benadryl or an non drowsy anti histamine (loratidine, zyrtec, allegra) for another few days (3 to 5)
(3)add an anti inflammatory pain killer such as naproxen or ibuprofen , if you can use these medications
(4)topical steroid such as hydrocortisone for 7 days, applied twice daily.
(5)a very short course of a medication to help decrease the nerve sensations in the area may be needed if the above is not effective
Burning can sometimes occur as part of nerve related pain. If the course of steroids, pain med, topical steroid , is not enough, a medication used for nerve related pain may be needed eg amitriptyline, nortriptyline, tegretol, lyrica
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
course of steroids (oral and topical), anti inflammatory med
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
As you stated the Peace lily plant can cause dermatitis (inflammation/irritation) of the skin and inflammation of underlying tissues.
This is thought to be related to the crystals in the plant.
Since it is an inflammatory response, decreasing inflammation may help eg: (1) a course not only one shot of steroids. A 3 to 5 day course of prednisolone may be helpful
(2)continuing the antihistamine benadryl or an non drowsy anti histamine (loratidine, zyrtec, allegra) for another few days (3 to 5)
(3)add an anti inflammatory pain killer such as naproxen or ibuprofen , if you can use these medications
(4)topical steroid such as hydrocortisone for 7 days, applied twice daily.
(5)a very short course of a medication to help decrease the nerve sensations in the area may be needed if the above is not effective
Burning can sometimes occur as part of nerve related pain. If the course of steroids, pain med, topical steroid , is not enough, a medication used for nerve related pain may be needed eg amitriptyline, nortriptyline, tegretol, lyrica
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
