Even if it was a simple bump that caused it, a swollen lip is prone to infection during the healing period. It is therefore necessary to take care to keep it clean and treat the swelling with cold and warm compresses. If you don't know the cause of the swelling or if you suspect it is an allergic reaction or infection, see your doctor.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Acting when Conditions are Serious
Step 1. Act immediately if it is an allergic reaction
In some cases, a lip could swell due to life-threatening allergic reactions. Seek medical attention right away if this has never happened to you before, if your lips are noticeably swollen, if discomfort affects your breathing, or if your throat swells. If you have suffered from similar allergic reactions in the past and know that these are mild symptoms, take an antihistamine and have your inhaler or adrenaline syringe handy.
- If the reaction was caused by an insect bite, call the emergency services immediately.
- If you are unsure about the cause of the swelling, use the same precautions you would take if you have an allergic reaction. In many cases, we do not know the cause of an allergic reaction.
- In "less severe" cases, the allergic reaction may last several days. See a doctor if the swelling doesn't go away in the meantime.
Step 2. Treat mouth infections
If you get blisters on the lips, cold sores, swollen lymph glands, or flu-like symptoms, it could be a mouth infection, usually caused by the herpes simplex virus. See a doctor to get a diagnosis and get a prescription for antiviral or antibiotic medication. In the meantime, avoid touching your lips, kissing, oral sex, and sharing food, drinks, or towels.
Step 3. See your doctor if you don't know the cause
If you don't know what caused the swelling, see a doctor to find out. It is especially important if it does not subside within a few days. Here are some possible causes:
- If the swelling is severe and you are pregnant, it can be a symptom of preeclampsia. Since this is a serious condition, don't hesitate to go to the doctor.
- Antidepressants, hormone treatments, and blood pressure medications can cause bloating.
- Heart, kidney, or liver failure usually results in more generalized swelling, not just the lips.
Step 4. Get swelling and pain under control
If the swelling persists after two to three days or if there is a sudden increase in pain, you should see your doctor.
Part 2 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Clean the affected area
When the lip is swollen and sore, it is prone to cracking. Gently wash it with a sponge soaked in water several times a day or whenever it gets dirty. Be careful not to pinch or rub it.
- If your lip swells after an accident, especially after a fall, disinfect it with an antiseptic product.
- If it is swollen due to a piercing, follow the advice given by the operator who performed it. Do not insert and remove it unnecessarily. Wash your hands before handling it.
- Do not clean the swollen area with alcohol, otherwise you risk worsening the situation.
Step 2. Apply a cold pack the same day you are injured
Therefore, wrap some ice in a towel or take a pack of frozen food from the freezer. Gently place it on your swollen lip. This will reduce the swelling caused by a recent accident. Typically, after the first few hours, the cold compress is no longer effective, except for pain relief.
If you don't have ice, freeze a spoon for 5-15 minutes and place it on your swollen lip. Alternatively, eat a popsicle
Step 3. Switch to hot packs
Once the initial swelling has passed, the heat can promote healing. Heat the water just enough, making sure it doesn't burn to the touch. Soak a towel and then wring it out to get rid of excess water. Place it on your lips for 10 minutes. Repeat this once an hour, several times a day, or until the swelling has subsided.
Step 4. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that reduce pain and swelling. The most common variants of over-the-counter anti-inflammatories are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Step 5. Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep your lips hydrated and prevent them from chapping or swelling further.
Step 6. Protect your lips with a suitable balm or cocoa butter
These treatments moisturize the lips, preventing them from chapping and drying even more.
- There are many ways to make a lip balm at home. Try combining 2 parts of coconut oil, 2 parts of olive oil, 2 parts of chopped beeswax and a few drops of essential oil which will add a hint of perfume.
- In an emergency, simply dab your lips with coconut oil or aloe vera gel.
- Avoid conditioners that contain camphor, menthol, or phenol. Use petroleum jelly in moderation, as it can cause various health problems without deeply moisturizing your lips.
Step 7. Do not cover the lip and do not press it
By pressing it, you risk damaging it more and increasing the pain. Try to keep the bruised area free and exposed to the air.
If you feel pain while chewing, it means that it will take much longer to heal. Replace some foods in your diet with healthy smoothies and protein shakes by drinking them through a straw
Step 8. Eat a healthy diet
Refrain from tasty, high-sodium foods, as they can increase bloating. In general, a balanced diet, which offers an adequate supply of vitamins and proteins, promotes healing.
Avoid acidic foods, as they can cause pain
Part 3 of 3: Healing a Cut or Split on the Lip
Step 1. Check your teeth and lips after an injury
If you bumped your mouth, check for injuries. If your teeth move, see a dentist immediately. If you've gotten deep cuts, see a doctor. He may stitch the wound to prevent scarring or administer a tetanus injection.
Step 2. Disinfect with salt water
Dissolve 15ml of salt in 240ml of hot water. Dip a cotton swab or towel and dab it lightly on the cut area. It may sting at first, but it reduces the risk of infections.
Step 3. Apply cold and warm compresses
As previously described, a towel-wrapped ice cube or ice pack reduces swelling on the day of the injury. Once the initial swelling has subsided, move on to warm compresses, using a moist, warm towel to stimulate blood circulation and promote healing. The application of both packs should last for ten minutes, then stop for an hour before resuming.
Advice
- The tips provided in this article are suitable, in principle, in most cases where you have a swollen lip due to a piercing, wound or cut.
- Antibiotic ointments prevent infections on open wounds and heal bacterial ones. However, they are not effective against viral ones (such as herpes), they can irritate the skin in some people and be harmful if ingested. Talk to your doctor before using them.
Warnings
- If your lip is still swollen after two weeks, see a doctor. An infection or other more serious medical condition is probably ongoing.
- Non-prescription ointments and herbal remedies are potentially dangerous if ingested. There is no clear evidence that arnica or tea tree oil is useful in these cases; the latter, in particular, can pose serious risks if ingested.
