How to make a swollen lip go down can be a serious problem as you could wake up one morning with an inflamed lip with no obvious cause.
Swollen lips are caused by underlying inflammation or a buildup of fluid under the skin of your lips. Many things can cause swollen lips, from minor skin conditions to severe allergic reactions. It’s a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. In the course of this article, you’ll learn the causes, potential complications and how to make the swollen lip go down with home remedies and medical treatments.
Causes Of Swollen Lips
Swelling of the lips can arise due to different conditions.
- Trauma or injury to the lip and mouth area is an obvious cause of swollen lips.
- Allergic reactions, either to foods, medications, or other substances, can often be accompanied by swelling of the lips.
- This may be accompanied by other allergic symptoms, such as hives and itching.
- Angioedema is a condition in which there is swelling of the tissue beneath the skin, and this is often concentrated around the eyes and lips.
- Some infections (such as herpes simplex virus infection) can result in blisters (sometimes referred to as cold sores) and localized swelling of the lips.
- Infections and inflammatory conditions of the skin can also lead to inflammation and swollen lips (cheilitis).
Less commonly, medical conditions or illnesses that affect the entire body may cause lip swelling, sometimes in association with fluid retention or swelling in other areas of the body.
Other Causes of Swollen Lip
- Acromegaly
- Bacterial Infections
- Cheilitis
- Cosmetic Surgery (Lip Injections or Implants)
- Erythema Multiforme
- Hunter Syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II)
- Medication Side Effects
- Trauma
- Tumors
- Vitamin B2 Deficiency2
The Potential Complications Of Lip Swelling?
Complications associated with swollen lips can be progressive and vary depending on the underlying cause. Because lip swelling can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in complications and permanent damage. It is important to contact your health care provider when you experience persistent swelling, discoloration, or other unusual symptoms related to your lips. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you can help reduce any potential complications including:
- Deformity
- Difficulty breathing or respiratory arrest from anaphylactic shock
- Skin or other tissue removal
- Spread of infection to other parts of the body, including the blood3
How To Make a Swollen Lip Go Down
At-home treatments
Applying an ice pack wrapped in a towel to swollen lips can often reduce the inflammation. Never apply ice directly to skin, as this can cause further damage.
You may find some relief from swollen lips caused by sunburn by using aloe lotion. Severe dryness or cracking may improve with a gentle moisturizing lip balm.4
Other home remedies include:
1. Ice Cubes
Ice may reduce oedema by decreasing the amount of blood flowing to the affected site (1). Using ice cubes on the affected area may help in healing the swollen lips.
You Will Need
- 1-2 ice cubes
- A soft washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Wrap the ice cubes in the washcloth and press the ice pack gently on the affected area for 8-10 minutes.
- Take a break of 10 minutes and repeat the process.
How Often You Should Do This
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 the pain one might experience from the swelling.
You Will Need
- Warm water
- A washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Soak the washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess water from the cloth.
- Place the washcloth on the lips for 8-10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
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.
You Will Need
- Fuller’s earth
- Turmeric powder
- Cold water
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a herbal ointment by mixing turmeric powder with Fuller’s earth and cold water.
- Apply the prepared ointment on the swollen area.
- Allow it to dry completely.
- Wash your lips with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
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.
You Will Need
Aloe Vera Leaf
What You Have To Do
- Extract the aloe vera gel present inside the leaf.
- Apply a small amount of gel on the affected area and massage gently.
- Leave it on for as long as possible.
How Often You Should Do This
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.
You Will Need
- Baking soda
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the baking soda with some water.
- Apply a thick coat of this paste on the swollen area.
- Keep it on for 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once every 3-4 hours.
6. Honey
Honey has natural healing and antibacterial properties (7). It may also help soothe any itching or irritation that may accompany a swollen lip.
You Will Need
- Honey
- Cotton ball or cotton swab
What You Have To Do
- Use a cotton ball to apply honey on the affected area.
- Wash it off with cold water after 20 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
7. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a popular astringent that cleans and disinfects the skin surface (8). It may reduce the inflammation around the swollen lips.
You Will Need
- Witch hazel extract
- Salt
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix salt and witch hazel.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area with a cotton ball.
- Rinse it off with cool water after 30 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
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.
You Will Need
- A few drops of tea tree oil
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of aloe vera gel.
- Apply this mixture on the lips and massage gently for a minute or two.
- Rinse with cool water after 10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times a day.
9. Coconut Oil
The lauric acid 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 emollient and keep the skin nourished and supple.
You Will Need
Organic coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Massage a few drops of coconut oil on the swollen lips.
- Leave it on for a couple of hours.
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.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt
- 1 cup of warm water
- Washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Mix the Epsom salt in the water and dip the washcloth in this solution.
- Place the washcloth dipped in the warm water on the swollen lips for 15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
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.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Dilute the apple cider vinegar and apply it on the lips with the cotton ball.
- Leave it on for a couple of minutes.
- Rinse with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
These were the best home remedies for swollen lips. In addition to following them, you should also follow a balanced and healthy diet that is rich in vitamins. However, if your lips are swollen despite following the remedies discussed above, consult a doctor immediately.5
Can kissing cause swollen lips? check this: Some Dangerous Mouth Diseases You Can Get By Kissing
Medical Treatments
For swollen lips caused by inflammatory conditions, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or corticosteroids may help reduce the swelling.
NSAIDs may also be helpful in the event of a bruise or other injury that’s causing your lips to swell.
Other neurological conditions, such as focal dystonia, may require more invasive treatments. For embouchure dystonia, muscle relaxers such as baclofen (Gablofen) may be useful. Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) may help but must be administered with care by a doctor.4
Video by ZK Health And Fitness
Conclusion
If you wake up swollen lips with no obvious cause, consider the foods you ate and any medications you took. Also check for injuries, infection, and any possible exposure to allergens in your environment.
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience a serious allergic reaction, a stroke, swelling of the face or eyes, or an infection of the face.
