Even though the lips are swollen from the wound, they are prone to infection while in the recovery process. Keep the swollen lips clean, then try to treat the swelling with cold and warm compresses. If you don't know what's causing your swollen lips, or if you suspect an allergic reaction or infection, make sure you see a doctor right away.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Responding to Serious Conditions
Step 1. Respond to allergic reactions quickly
Some cases of swollen lips are caused by a reaction to an allergy, which can be fatal. Seek immediate medical attention if you have never experienced anything like this before, your lips are severely swollen, the swelling affects your breathing, or if your throat is swollen. If you've had a reaction to a similar allergy before and you know it's a mild symptom, take an antihistamine, and have an asthma reliever or an epinephrine injection within reach.
- If your reaction is caused by an insect bite, seek emergency help as soon as possible.
- If you are not sure about the cause of swollen lips, take precautions for allergic reactions. In most cases, the cause of the allergic reaction is never found.
- Cases of "mild" swollen lips can last up to several days. See a doctor if the swelling of the lips does not go away after a few days.
Step 2. Treat oral infections
If you have blisters, cold sores, or swollen glands on your lips, or if you have flu-like symptoms, you may have an oral infection, the most common of which is the herpes simplex virus. See a doctor for a diagnosis and a prescription for antiviral or antibiotic medication. As long as you have an oral infection, don't touch your lips, kiss, have oral sex, and don't share food, drink, or towels with other people.
Step 3. Make an appointment with your doctor if you don't know the cause of the swollen lips
If you don't know the cause of your swollen lips, go to the doctor to find out the reason. This is important if the swelling does not improve after a few days has passed. Here are some things that might be the cause:
- Severe swelling in the middle of pregnancy may be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition, so make sure you see a doctor right away.
- Antidepressants, hormone treatments, and blood pressure medications can cause swelling.
- Heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure usually cause swelling that spreads more widely, not just to the lips.
Step 4. Check for swelling and pain caused by it daily
If the swelling of the lips persists after two or three days, see a doctor. If the pain caused by swelling suddenly increases, see a doctor.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Puffy Lips at Home
Step 1. Clean the swollen lip area
When the lips are swollen and painful, they are prone to sores. Gently wipe the lips with water, and do it several times a day or whenever the lips are dirty. Do not pluck the skin of the lips or rub them harshly.
- If your lips swell after you get a cut, especially if you fall, get rid of germs with an antiseptic.
- If your lips swell after getting pierced, follow the advice given by the person who pierced them. Don't put on your piercing and take it off when you don't have to. Wash your hands before you handle your piercing.
- Don't clean the wound with rubbing alcohol, which will only make the swelling worse.
Step 2. Stick with cool stuff on the day you receive the wound
Wrap ice cubes in a towel, or use an ice pack removed from the freezer. Gently place an ice pack of your choice on the swollen lips. This will reduce swelling in the wound that occurred recently. After a few hours have passed, the cold is generally not very effective anymore, except for reducing pain.
If you don't have ice cubes, freeze the spoon for 5 to 15 minutes, then place the spoon against the swollen lip. Alternatively, you can also suck on ice cream sticks
Step 3. Switch to warm compresses
After the initial swelling has been treated, warm temperatures can help in recovery of the swelling. Heat the water until it reaches a high enough temperature, but still not too hot to be touchable. Dip a towel in the water, then squeeze out the excess water. Place a warm towel on your lips for 10 minutes. Repeat the process every hour, several times a day or until the swelling has reduced.
Step 4. Use painkillers
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs that reduce pain and swelling. Some of the most commonly used drugs are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Step 5. Keep yourself hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep lips hydrated and also to prevent chapped or more severe swelling of the lips.
Step 6. Protect your lips with a lip balm or chap stick
Both of these things moisturize the lips, so the lips will not experience more severe chapped or become drier.
- There are many ways to make your own lip balm. Try to make it with equal amounts of coconut oil, olive oil, and grated beeswax, and add a few drops of essential oil for a balmy scent.
- In a pinch, rub your lips with coconut oil or aloe vera gel.
- Avoid balms that contain camphor, menthol, or phenol. Use petroleum jelly in moderation as it can cause health problems if used in large quantities, and the resulting moisture on the lips may not increase.
Step 7. Keep your lips uncovered and free from pressure
Pressure can aggravate the wound and increase the pain drastically. Try to keep the swollen area free from touching anything else and make sure that the area can receive the touch of free air.
If you feel pain while chewing food, the recovery process will take longer. Change the composition of your diet with several types of healthy foods that are mashed and also protein shakes, then drink these foods using a straw
Step 8. Adopt a healthy diet
Avoid foods that are salty and contain a lot of sodium because such foods can trigger swelling. In general, a diet with adequate vitamin and protein composition can help with recovery.
Avoid acidic foods, as they can cause pain
Part 3 of 3: Caring for Cut or Split Lips
Step 1. Examine the teeth and lips after you get the wound
If the mouth is bumped, check for mouth sores. If your teeth become loose, go to the dentist as soon as possible. If there is a deep cut on the lip, go to the doctor. Your doctor may stitch the wound closed so there is no scar, or you may be given a tetanus shot.
Step 2. Clean the germs using salt water
Dissolve one tablespoon (15 ml) of salt in one cup (240 ml) of warm water. Dip a cotton swab or towel in warm water, then gently wipe the cut on your lips. At first it will cause pain, but this can prevent the risk of infection.
Step 3. Apply cold and hot compresses
As described above, ice cubes or an ice pack wrapped in a towel can reduce swelling on the day the injury occurred. Once the initial swelling is over, switch to a warm, wet towel to stimulate blood flow and recovery. Place both types of compresses on the lips for 10 minutes, then leave the lips for an hour before you attach them again with the compress.
Tips
- The methods mentioned generally work for almost any swelling, whether caused by a piercing or a laceration.
- Antibiotic ointments can prevent infection in a split lip, and can also treat infections caused by bacteria. However, they do not treat viral infections (such as herpes), can be irritating to the skin of some people, and may be harmful if swallowed. Ask your doctor before you use it.
Warning
- If the lips are still swollen after two weeks, seek medical attention. You may have an infection or other serious condition.
- Because it is possible to ingest them, ointments and herbal remedies that can be purchased from retailers have the potential to be harmful. There is no solid evidence to suggest that arnica oil or tea tree oil can help, and tea tree oil can pose very serious risks if ingested.
