Whether the lip has broken from rough contact during sports or from dryness, it is important to treat the injury with care. To help heal, you need to stop the bleeding and evaluate the depth of the wound; then wash the lip with water and apply an antibiotic ointment. In the following days you have to keep swelling under control by applying healing pastes; See your doctor if you notice any signs of infection.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Immediate Care
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before touching your injured face or lip, you need to put your hands under hot water for at least 20 seconds, creating a nice lather with an antibacterial soap. If you are outdoors and do not have access to water, you can scrub them with an alcohol solution before proceeding to reduce the risk of germs transferring from your fingers to the wound as much as possible.
Step 2. Wash the wound with mild soap and water
Put your lip under the tap and run the water over the cut, cleaning it of any dirt and residue; apply some antibacterial soap to a cotton swab or cotton swab and dab it gently on the injured area, then rinse with water. Avoid scrubbing, otherwise the cut can open up even more.
Know that if you don't clean the wound properly, you increase the chances that some scars will remain or that further treatment will be needed
Step 3. Place a cold pack on the wound
If you see swelling or bruising on your mouth or lip, you can place an ice pack on the area for a few minutes until the swelling subsides. if you can't find it, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or hold a clean towel under cold running water to achieve the same effect. You can give babies a popsicle to suck which minimizes pain and bleeding.
- The cold also helps slow down bleeding, allowing you to control the wound more accurately; however, if the bleeding does not stop after several attempts with the cold pack and light pressure, you should see your doctor.
- Do not apply ice directly on the lip so as not to damage the surrounding skin; also, don't hold it for more than a few minutes at a time.
- If you are concerned that there may be foreign objects left in the wound, especially glass shards, do not apply pressure to the area.
Step 4. Examine the gravity of the situation
Now that you can see the area clearly, stand in front of a mirror to check the depth and extent of the cut; if it is very deep and you are concerned that it will not heal properly or hinders the ability to speak well, contact your doctor for advice. If you decide to treat the wound yourself, you need to monitor it every day.
If it seems severe to you, consider seeing a doctor or seeing a plastic surgeon right away. the injury is likely to heal quickly and from then on it can be difficult to get rid of the scar
Step 5. Smear a pain reliever ointment on the lip
Once you are sure the wound is clean, protect the area from possible infection by applying some antibiotic or analgesic ointment; spread a pea-sized amount on a cotton swab and spread it over the wound. Apply it several times following the instructions on the leaflet.
Step 6. Put on a liquid patch or steri strip
If the wound is superficial enough that you can heal it yourself, you can purchase a plastic patch kit or a pack of polyester adhesive patches, both of which are made specifically to keep the wound edges closed. If you have chosen liquid patches, shake the vial and spread a thin layer of product over the injured area; once dry, apply a second layer. This type of patch is flexible enough to allow the cut to heal and should last about a week.
- Make sure you only apply a thin layer, otherwise it can peel off easily;
- While this is an effective way to heal a broken lip, you may find it difficult to apply it on yourself.
- If you want to get the best results from an aesthetic point of view, you should see a doctor.
Step 7. Seek emergency treatment
If the cut is deep enough to not be able to bring the two edges together, stitches are required. If the wound is in the corner of your mouth and continues to bleed continuously even after applying pressure for 10 minutes, you need to go to the emergency room to get proper care. You should go to the hospital even if you are concerned that there may be some foreign object or dirt left in the wound.
If your lip has broken due to a bump with a blunt object or you are concerned that there is some residue left inside, seek immediate medical attention. it may be necessary to take an x-ray or administer tetanus medication
Part 2 of 3: Promote Healing
Step 1. Blot the wound with a cotton swab dipped in saline
Fill a bowl with 250 ml of warm water and a tablespoon of salt; dip the cotton wool or cotton swab into the solution and apply it to the injured lip. Be aware that it may cause a burning sensation or a slight tingling sensation; repeat the treatment as needed.
Salt helps reduce inflammation and stave off the risk of infection
Step 2. Apply turmeric paste
Take a bowl, pour three teaspoons of turmeric powder and add a little water until you get a thick paste; use a cotton swab to apply the mixture directly to the cut, leave it on for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with fresh water.
Turmeric helps kill any dangerous bacteria on the wound
Step 3. Don't eat irritating foods
Know that during the healing process the lip is particularly sensitive to salty, spicy or sour foods such as citrus fruits. For example, avoid orange juice or spicy chicken wings, unless you want a prickly sensation on your lip; by eating these foods you can aggravate the swelling of the suffering area, extending the period of convalescence.
Step 4. Keep your fingers and tongue away
The more you lick your injured lip, the more it dries and breaks, plus you could cause herpes inside or next to the cut; resist the temptation to tease or "torture" the injured area with your fingers, otherwise you can deepen the cut or introduce harmful bacteria.
Step 5. Talk to your doctor or dentist
If the wound becomes red or the pain increases after initial care, you should go to the doctor, as an infection may have developed. Also, if your teeth are hurting more and more, talk to your dentist as it could be a long-lasting dental injury. Your doctor can also help you if you have constant dry mouth or if your lips crack easily.
Part 3 of 3: Protect Your Lips
Step 1. Apply a zinc based cream
Chapped lips are often the result of excessive sun exposure; when you have to do garden work, yard work or other outdoor tasks on hot days, you need to protect your lips with this type of balm.
To achieve the same effect, you can also apply the soothing cream that is used on babies at each diaper change
Step 2. Apply the lip balm
Once your lip is healed, purchase a non-medicated, beeswax-based, fragrance-free lip balm to apply often, even better if it contains lanolin or petroleum jelly. Some products also have a protection factor that protects the lips from dryness due to the sun's rays.
Step 3. Increase your water intake
To keep the whole body well hydrated and avoid the risk of lips chapping, you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day; to help heal the cut on your lip, you should increase your water consumption by a few more glasses.
Step 4. Use toothpaste and mouthwash specifically designed for dry mouth
There are many dental hygiene products that are made specifically to eliminate or at least reduce dry mouth; use them to prevent lips from breaking.
Step 5. Use a humidifier
With winter and cold weather, the air tends to dry out, increasing the likelihood of lips chapping; these cuts can quickly turn into deep wounds. To counteract this phenomenon, you can turn on a humidifier in the bedroom or install a device to be inserted in heaters or air conditioners to increase the ambient humidity.
This is a pretty effective method, especially if you tend to sleep with your mouth open, which makes it worse
Step 6. Pay attention to the medications you take
If you often suffer from cuts on your lips, the cause could be due to the medicines you take; always read the label and leaflet and check if dry lips are expected among the side effects. If there is something that worries you, talk to your doctor to find alternative drug therapies.
For example, some acne medications can remove natural moisture and oil from the entire face, including the lips
Step 7. Take multivitamin supplements
Chapped lips are often a sign of vitamin deficiency; to solve the problem, take quality iron and zinc supplements daily; Vitamin B9 (folic acid) and those of group B also promote skin regeneration. Check with your doctor to try a few different combinations of supplements and see which one works best for you.
