Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Swollen eyes or lips

Swollen eyelids or lips may result from irritation, infection, allergy or angioedema. Swelling is often harmless but can be dangerous if the tongue or throat is involved, or breathing, voice, swallowing or consciousness changes. These signs require immediate help.

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  • Swollen eyes or lips may be local or part of angioedema: swelling in the deeper skin and mucous membranes.
  • The key question is not how swollen the lip is, but whether the tongue, throat, breathing, voice, swallowing, blood pressure or consciousness is affected.
  • Anaphylaxis can develop quickly and needs adrenaline and emergency care. An antihistamine does not replace adrenaline.
  • Swelling without itching or hives may be caused by a medicine or an inherited or acquired bradykinin-mediated form and responds differently to standard allergy medicines.
  • An infected eyelid or tissues around the eye may threaten sight and the eye socket and needs prompt assessment.

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Stung by an insectA sting from a bee, wasp or ant usually causes local pain, redness and swelling. This is often unpleasant but harmless. Danger arises with breathing difficulty, tongue or throat swelling, fainting, repeated vomiting after an allergic reaction or many stings at once. Call Ambulance 912 immediately in these situations.
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