A swollen lip could embarrass you, not to mention, be painful. It is usually accompanied by cuts and bleeding, and can invariably cause difficulty eating, drinking, talking, or even opening your mouth. So what causes the swelling anyway? It’s usually some kind of trauma to the soft tissue of the lips that causes the swelling. Other causes for the swelling include:
- A viral infection
- Dehydration
- An insect bite
- Extreme weather conditions
- Dryness
- Nutritional deficiencies
- An allergic reaction
- An injury
- Use of poor quality lip care products
- Lip edema
- Cold sores
- Canker sores
- Lip piercing
- Oral herpes
- Braces
- Sunburn
- Lip biting
- Restylane injections
- Lip surgeries
- Stomatitis
- Severe malnutrition
- Reaction to blood transfusion
Along with swelling, redness, pain, and rashes accompany, making it unpleasant and uncomfortable. Let alone smiling or talking, even opening your mouth becomes difficult.
Suggested read: 10 easy yet superbly effective home remedies for pink, kissable lips
Home remedies for swollen lips
However, you don’t need to let nature take its course and heal on its own. You can use easy, simple, home remedies for swollen lips to treat them effectively. Take a look at some of those remedies here:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera is a blessing when it comes to many skin, hair, and health conditions, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce the swelling, along with the burning sensation caused by the swollen lip. This particular remedy is most effective against insect bites or an allergic reaction that might be the cause of the swollen lips.
Remedy
- Slice open an aloe vera leaf and squeeze out the fresh gel into a clean bowl. Apply this directly on the swollen areas and massage gently, so that the gel gets absorbed by the skin. Repeat this remedy thrice a day till the swelling goes down.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which make it an ideal remedy to get rid of a swollen lip.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and water. Dip a clean cotton ball in it and dab it gently on your swollen lip. Let it stay for a few minutes, before rinsing it off with clean water. Repeat this remedy twice a day till the swelling subsides.
3. Baking soda
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Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, and is ideal in getting rid of a swollen lip caused by an allergic reaction, an insect bite, or a fever blister. It helps bring down the inflammation as well as the pain.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 3 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of plain water. Smear this paste on the affected area, letting it sit for about 5 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy a few times in a day till the swelling subsides.
4. Black tea bag
Black tea contains tannins, which possess amazing astringent properties, that help reduce the swelling in the soft tissues of the lips.
Remedy
- Take some warm water in a cup and dip a black tea bag in it for about 10 minutes. Take out the tea bag and let it cool down completely. Apply this on the affected area for about 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy several times in a day for quick relief from the swelling.
5. Coconut oil
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Coconut oil helps bring down the swelling in your lip quickly, while also helping with the inflammation and excessive dryness. Additionally, since it is a natural moisturizer, it helps keep your lips moisturized and hydrated.
Remedy
- Dip a Q-tip in coconut oil and apply it over the swollen areas of your lips. Repeat this remedy thrice a day till you find an improvement in your condition.
6. Cold compress
A cold compress is one of the best ways to reduce the swelling in your lips, especially one caused by lip piercing.
Remedy
- Take a thin washcloth and wrap some ice cubes in it. Press this cold compress gently over the swollen area for about 10 minutes. Take a break, then repeat it. Follow this remedy till the swelling goes down and you find relief from the pain and discomfort.
Tip: Do NOT apply ice directly on your skin since it could result in soreness or even mild frost bite.
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7. Epsom salt
Epsom salt helps soothe your inflamed skin, while helping relieve the pain. Additionally, it also helps bring down the swelling, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Remedy
- Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt to 1 cup of warm water, letting it dissolve completely. Dip a clean washcloth in it, wring out the excess, and press it gently to your swollen lips for about 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy a few times till the swelling subsides.
8. Honey
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Honey possesses natural healing and anti-bacterial properties that make it ideal in reducing the swelling in your lips. Additionally, since it is a natural moisturizer, it helps nourish and keep your lips soft, while also preventing any kind of infection. It also helps bring down the inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Remedy
- Dip a clean cotton ball in 1 teaspoon of honey and dab it gently on the swollen areas of your lips. Let it stay on for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy thrice a day till the swelling goes down.
9. Salt
Salt is a natural disinfectant, which makes it ideal in helping reduce the swelling of lip caused by an insect/mosquito bite. It basically disinfects the bite site, thus preventing any kind of infection.
Remedy
- In 1 cup of warm water, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt. Dip a clean cotton ball in this and dab it gently on the swollen lip. Although it might burn initially, it helps heal the cut while bringing down the swelling quickly. Repeat this remedy twice a day for best results.
10. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is another effective remedy that helps bring down the swelling in the lip, especially one caused by a cut. Thanks to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with the swelling, inflammation, and the pain.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, dilute a few drops of tea tree oil with 1 teaspoon of carrier oil like olive oil. Dab this gently on your swollen lip, leaving it on for about 30 minutes. Not only will this keep your lips moisturized, it will also disinfect the wound. Once the time is up, rinse your lips off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy a few times a day for positive results.
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of fresh aloe vera gel and a few drops of tea tree oil. Apply a small amount of this on your lips, gently massaging it in for a few minutes. Let it stay for about 20 minutes, before washing it off. Follow this remedy thrice a day for good results.
Tip: Using tea tree oil in its pure concentration is a strict no-no. It could cause irritation, while also aggravating the situation.
11. Turmeric
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Turmeric possesses antiseptic and healing properties that help in getting rid of a swollen lip effectively. The antiseptic property helps prevent any infection at the injury site.
Remedy
- Add a pinch of turmeric powder to 1 teaspoon of Fuller’s earth, along with enough water to make a smooth paste. Slather this on the swollen lip, letting it dry on its own. Then, wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a day to get rid of a swollen lip.
12. Warm compress
Just like a cold compress is effective on a swollen lip, its counterpart, a warm compress is too. It improves the blood flow to the lips, thus helping bring down the accumulation of blood in the swollen area. This in turn helps bring down the inflammation and swelling.
Remedy
- Dip a clean washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess water. Gently press this cloth on your swollen lip, for about 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy after an hour or so, and a few times a day to help with the swelling.
Tip: If you have an open cut causing a swollen lip, do not use a warm compress.
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13. Witch hazel
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Witch hazel is another effective remedy that brings down swelling, soothes the pain, as well as clean the cut that caused the swollen lip.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of witch hazel and half a tablespoon of salt. Dip a clean cotton ball in this and apply it on the affected lip. Let it stay for about half an hour, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this remedy as needed, till you see visible improvement.
These are all the most effective home remedies for swollen lips. For more updates on skin care, hair care, and beauty, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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