Is a Swollen Upper Lip a Symptom of COVID?

COVID-19 is a viral infection that presents with various symptoms. Although it’s not as common as the classic respiratory symptoms, some people have reported a swollen upper lip with COVID. Some evidence suggests that the immune response to COVID triggers swelling that might affect any body part, including your lips.

Antihistamines and steroids (corticosteroids) typically reduce swelling and inflammation within three days. Read on to learn about lip swelling with COVID and related symptoms. 

Is a Swollen Upper Lip a Symptom of COVID?

COVID causes a wide range of symptoms. Although rare, some people with COVID have reported lip swelling. Viral infections, such as COVID, commonly cause swelling due to histamine release. Histamines are chemical messengers your immune system makes and releases, typically in response to allergens and irritants.

Your immune system releases mast cells to help fight off SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. Research has found that with COVID, mast cells release histamines. An increase in histamines helps blood flow easily to the infection site. Fluid moves into your tissues at the same time, causing swelling.

What Are Other Symptoms of COVID?

Some case reports suggest lip swelling might occur one to five days before or five to 12 days after classic respiratory symptom onset. Those symptoms often include a cough, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose. COVID might also cause several skin-related symptoms.

Other skin manifestations of COVID include:

• COVID toes (acral chilblain lesion): Inflammation of tiny blood vessels in your toes, which may be painful
• Hives (urticaria): Raised, red bumps on your skin that might be itchy
• Petechiae: Small red dots that might pop up on your skin if damaged blood vessels cause bleeding into your skin
• Skin rash (exanthems): Common with viral infections like COVID
• Vesicles: Small blisters filled with fluid

Are COVID Symptoms Changing?

A feature published in 2023 found that COVID symptoms have changed since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and the availability of treatments and vaccines have changed how COVID presents. 

For example, in early 2020, the original variants often caused distinct symptoms like a cough, loss of taste and smell, and shortness of breath. In contrast, Omicron variants affect the lungs less than others and generally attack the upper airways.

The Omicron variants typically cause acute symptoms like:

• Cough 
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

What Else Can Cause a Swollen Upper Lip?

It's hard to know whether lip swelling directly links to COVID. Lip swelling has several possible causes, including allergic reactions to food, topical lip products, or certain oral medications; cysts; and certain oral infections.

Other health conditions that might cause lip swelling include:

• Amyloidosis: Deposits made up of amyloids (a protein) that form and collect in the heart, kidneys, and other organs
• Hypothyroidism: A condition associated with an underactive thyroid gland (a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck that makes hormones) causing low thyroid hormone levels
• Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome: A rare illness that causes facial paralysis and swelling
• Sarcoidosis: An illness that causes inflammation in your lungs, lymph nodes, and skin
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome: A rare but acutely severe skin reaction often in response to certain medications
• Hereditary Angioedema: A hereditary disorder causing recurrent lip/skin, upper airway, and/or intestinal tract swelling

Can the COVID Vaccine Cause Lip Swelling?

Lip swelling might happen after getting a vaccine, including the COVID vaccine. Research has linked lip swelling to the Moderna vaccine, although rare. The risk seems to be higher for people who have had facial fillers than others. The CDC does not warn about lip swelling with the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Lip swelling after getting a vaccine might "be associated with anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that can lead to shock or even death," Amiinah Kung, MD, an allergist and immunologist with Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group, told Health. 

The vaccine enters your bloodstream and prompts an immune response, Purvi Parikh, MD, an infectious disease specialist at NYU Langone Health, told Health. As a result, swelling can occur anywhere in the body, including your lips. 

Call a healthcare provider if you develop lip swelling after getting vaccinated, said Dr. Kung. Seek immediate medical attention if lip swelling happens within four hours of getting a vaccine.

How Do You Treat It?

Consult a healthcare provider if you notice swelling in any body part, including your lips, that does not resolve. Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause help alleviate symptoms and prevent possible flares.

Research has found that lip swelling due to COVID resolves within three days with medication. A healthcare provider might advise antihistamines or steroids (corticosteroids).

Antihistamines, which stop the effects of histamines, might include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Clarinex (desloratadine). Steroids reduce inflammation and include Medrol (methylprednisolone) or prednisone.

A Quick Review 

People have reported upper lip swelling with COVID, although it's less common than respiratory symptoms. It's common for viral infections to cause swelling due to the body's immune response. Lip swelling typically resolves within three days with antihistamines and steroids. 

Talk to a healthcare provider if lip swelling does not resolve. Swelling might be a sign of another underlying health condition, such as allergies or an underactive thyroid.

The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.