Why do my lips turn purple in the morning upon waking up, and what should I do?
Mar 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, waking up in the morning with purple lips may be caused by factors such as cold stimulation, sleeping posture pressure, iron deficiency anemia, bronchial asthma, or chronic bronchitis. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's guidance for treatments such as general therapy or medication. Daily care should include maintaining a suitable indoor temperature and humidity, avoiding excessive fatigue, and reducing mental stress.
Generally, waking up with purple lips in the morning may be caused by cold stimulation, sleeping posture pressure, iron deficiency anemia, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, or other reasons. It is recommended to seek timely medical advice and receive treatments such as general therapy and medication under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Cold Stimulation
During the night, the body's temperature regulation function decreases, causing blood vessels in the lips to constrict from the cold, slowing blood flow and temporarily reducing blood oxygen saturation, which may lead to purple lips. It is recommended to close doors and windows before sleeping and use a humidifier to maintain indoor temperature, avoiding direct exposure of the lips to cold air.
2. Sleeping Posture Pressure
Long-term lateral or prone sleeping can compress the lip blood vessels, obstruct local blood circulation, and lead to the accumulation of reduced hemoglobin, resulting in purple lips. It is recommended to choose a pillow with an appropriate height, avoid prolonged facial pressure on one side, and sleep on your back or alternate sides regularly.
3. Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia may result from insufficient iron intake, absorption problems, or chronic blood loss. When hemoglobin synthesis decreases, the blood's oxygen transport capacity declines, potentially causing the above symptoms. It may also be accompanied by pale complexion and fatigue. Under a doctor's guidance, patients may use medications such as ferrous sulfate tablets, vitamin C tablets, and iron sucrose injection for treatment.
4. Bronchial Asthma
bronchial asthma may be caused by a combination of genetic factors and allergens. During an asthma attack, increased airway resistance leads to oxygen deficiency in the body, causing the lips to darken and appear purple due to hypoxia and congestion. Patients may also experience symptoms like wheezing and chest tightness. As advised by a doctor, patients can use medications such as salbutamol sulfate tablets, budesonide inhalation aerosol, and montelukast sodium tablets to alleviate symptoms.
5. Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis may be associated with long-term smoking or recurrent respiratory infections. Airway narrowing may lead to ventilation dysfunction and reduced blood oxygen saturation, causing purple lips upon waking in the morning. Symptoms may also include coughing and shortness of breath after physical activity. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as ambroxol hydrochloride oral solution, compound licorice oral solution, and roxithromycin tablets for treatment.
In daily life, it is important to maintain a suitable indoor temperature and humidity, avoid excessive fatigue and mental stress, keep warm, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and develop good living habits.
