Note: Consult a doctor immediately if the swollen lips persist even after trying home remedies.
Causes Of Swollen Lips
Swelling of the lips may happen due to any trauma to the soft tissue. However, there are various other reasons that may cause swollen lips. Some of the common reasons are:
Nutritional deficiencies Dehydration Viral infection Dryness Injury or cut Allergic reaction to a food product Insect bite Bad lip care products Extreme climatic conditions
Chris Pearce, a novelist, recounts a strange way his lips got swollen on his blog: “My first episode was about a month after my wife and I soaked our feet in water with cayenne pepper. It was supposed to get rid of colds. It did that alright. I didn’t have a proper cold for perhaps a decade. Instead, my lips would swell up to several times their normal size (i).” Often, swollen lips may be accompanied by cuts and bleeding. This may make it difficult for the person to eat, drink, or talk properly. Use the remedies listed below to treat this condition.
Home Remedies For Swollen Lips
Swollen lips can be uncomfortable and unsightly, but fortunately, there are several ways to fix them.
1. Ice Cubes
Ice may reduce edemai A swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues, usually those in the legs and feet. by decreasing the amount of blood flowing to the affected site (1). One way to eradicate swollen lips is by applying ice cubes. Using ice cubes on the affected area may help in healing the swollen lips.
1-2 ice cubes A soft washcloth
Repeat every few hours. Note: Avoid applying ice cubes directly on the skin as it may result in mild frostbite or soreness.
2. Warm Water
Warm water therapy promotes blood circulation in the human body (2). Applying warm water on the affected area may cure swollen lips. It may also soothe or alleviate the pain one might experience from the swelling.
Warm water A washcloth
Repeat this process every hour (if required).
3. Turmeric Powder
The curcumin present in turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory properties (3). Turmeric is also known for its antiseptic and healing properties (4). Hence, using turmeric powder may help in treating swollen lips.
Fuller’s earth Turmeric powder Cold water
Do this 2 times a day.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera exhibits anti-inflammatory and healing properties (5). Using aloe vera may reduce swollen lips caused by mosquito bite, insect bite, or allergic reactions. Aloe Vera Leaf Do this 2 times a day.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (6). It may help in treating swollen lips caused due to fever blisters, allergic reactions, or insect bites.
Baking soda Water
Do this once every 3-4 hours.
6. Honey
Honey has natural healing and antibacterial properties (7). It may also help soothe any itching irritation that may accompany a swollen lip and help diminish swelling.
Honey Cotton ball or cotton swab
Do this 2-3 times a day.
7. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a popular astringenti The property of a substance or a chemical that constricts body tissues and skin cells by reducing excess moisture from them. that cleans and disinfects the skin surface (8). It may reduce the inflammation around the swollen lips.
Witch hazel extract Salt Cotton ball
Do this 1-2 times a day.
8. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a strong antimicrobial agent (9). It may help reduce swelling caused by infections and insect bites.
A few drops of tea tree oil 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
Do this 1-2 times a day.
9. Coconut Oil
The lauric acidi A natural fatty acid found in animal fats and vegetable oils that helps moisturize and nourish the skin. in coconut oil exhibits strong antimicrobial properties (10). These properties may eliminate harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses while absorbing all impurities from the skin pores. It may also act as an emollienti A common ingredient in a skin care routine that helps retain moisture in the skin through a protective barrier. and keep the skin nourished and supple. Organic coconut oil How Often You Should Do This Do this once a day until the swelling goes down.
10. Epsom Salt
It is believed that Epsom salt may soothe the swollen lips and help them heal quickly. However, there is no scientific research to back this claim.
1 tablespoon of Epsom salt 1 cup of warm water Washcloth
Do this procedure a few times a day until swelling subsides.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it may help in treating swollen lips.
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon of water Cotton ball
Do this 2 times a day. These are some effective methods you can try to help solve swelling lips problems. However, if these home remedies do not help reduce the swelling and you experience certain symptoms, then it might be time to visit your doctor.
When To See A Doctor For Swollen Lips
Consult your healthcare provider or doctor if you experience any of the following issues:
If the swelling does not improve within a day or two. If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing or speaking. If you have a history of known allergies and suspect that the swollen lips are due to exposure to one of the known allergens. If you experience recurrent or painful swelling and develop other symptoms like dizziness, itchiness, irritation, or hives.
What are the symptoms of swollen lips? The main symptom is a localized swelling of the lips that may or may not be accompanied by pain. As a result of this, you may experience difficulty in talking, eating, drinking, and even opening your mouth. Some other symptoms include chapped lips, blisters, lip discoloration, and headache. You may also experience fatigue and tiredness. How long does it take for your lip to heal if you cut it with your tooth? A bruise or cut may develop at the site of injury on the lip. Depending on how badly your lip is injured, it may take a week to 15 days to heal completely. Why is my lip piercing making my lip swell? When a lip is pierced, there are chances that harmful bacteria were introduced at that site. This causes an infection, which leads to your lips swelling up and also hurting. It is essential to give this immediate attention and maintain proper oral hygiene. This issue may need medical attention, so please check with your doctor if swelling persists. Can too much kissing cause swollen lips? When the kissing is too intense, it can cause irritation and also damage the blood vessels in your lips, causing them to swell. Can lip swelling be caused by stress? Possibly. Swelling (angioedema) may be caused by emotional stress along with vigorous exercise and hormonal factors (11). How to get rid of swollen lips overnight? If the swelling is minimal and isn’t caused by serious allergic reactions or medical conditions, using ice cubes or warm water may help get rid of it in 1-2 days or overnight.
Illustration: Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Swollen Lips
Swollen lips can be caused by angioedema, a condition discussed in this informative video. Check it out to learn about the common triggers and causes of this condition.
