What causes numbness of the lips the day after drinking alcohol, and what should be done about it?

Feeling numbness in the lips the day after drinking alcohol may be caused by physiological factors, or it could result from allergies, facial nerve paralysis, and other reasons. Targeted treatment should be based on the specific underlying cause. The details are as follows:

1. Physiological Factors

If excessive alcohol is consumed, residual alcohol in the body may not yet have been fully metabolized by the following day. Alcohol irritation can lead to mild numbness in the mouth, which is usually a normal phenomenon that resolves on its own and generally does not require concern.

2. Disease-Related Factors

1) Allergy

In individuals with sensitive constitutions who are allergic to alcohol, an allergic reaction may occur after drinking, leading to lip numbness. This may be accompanied by local rashes, itching, and other symptoms. Under medical guidance, patients may take medications such as levocetirizine hydrochloride tablets or chlorpheniramine maleate tablets for treatment.

2) Facial Nerve Paralysis

This condition may be related to alcohol-induced irritation or catching a chill while drinking, which can damage the facial and trigeminal nerves, resulting in lip numbness along with symptoms such as facial drooping and slurred speech. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications like vitamin B2 tablets or mecobalamin tablets to alleviate symptoms.

Besides the common causes mentioned above, lip numbness could also be due to other conditions such as hypertension, cerebral hemorrhage, or cerebral infarction. Patients should seek timely medical attention to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.