Busted Lip Treatment: How To Care For Lip Laceration

busted lip treatment

A busted lip is a relatively common occurrence and typically results from an injury. The lip will appear bruised or swollen, and there may be a minor wound. A busted lip can cause discomfort or pain, but there are several options for promoting healing.

Sometimes, a busted lip may bleed a lot because the mouth and surrounding areas contain many blood vessels. For this reason, it can be hard to know when to use at-home treatments and when to see a doctor.

In this article, we explain how a person can treat a busted lip at home and when they should see a doctor for medical treatment.

 

 

Causes of a lip laceration

One of the most common causes of a busted lip is an injury from playing sports, such as basketball, football, or soccer. If someone falls or takes a blow to the face, they may bust their lip.

Other common causes of a busted lip include:

  • a car accident in which a person injures their mouth on the steering wheel
  • a fall
  • an injury that results from holding an object in the mouth or between the teeth
  • an animal or human bite (extremely painful or forceful)

Lip injuries are common, especially in children and adults who are active. Too many busted lips can increase the risk of scarring and affect healing time.

Lip cuts and wounds often heal fast and can be treated at home with simple remedies to reduce swelling and minor bleeding. If you develop a busted or cut lip from an accident or injury, the healing process could range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of the lip wound.

If swelling from mouth injuries doesn’t improve within 48 hours or if your lip continues to bleed excessively, you may need to seek medical attention.

Busted lip treatment

busted lip treatment adultsIt’s essential to care for a busted lip properly to avoid infection. Infection may be more likely with this type of injury than others because of the bacteria in the mouth. However, in most cases, a busted lip can be treated at home with some of these simple remedies.

Always wash your hands before cleaning or treating any wound. Any time you touch or put something on an injury, you risk introducing more bacteria or disrupting the natural healing process.

Keep topical treatments and cleanings to twice a day unless the wound needs cleaning more often.

Soap and water

Before treating your lip injury, always be sure to clean the affected area thoroughly. A simple soap-water combination can speed up the healing process. This is because cleaning your lip removes bacteria, irritants, or debris. Using unscented soaps may prevent irritation. Also, washing with soap and water is the best way to decrease your risk of infection.

Cold compress

A busted lip can be painful. Applying a cold compress can not only reduce pain but also reduce swelling and numb the affected area. Cold compression therapy helps to stimulate blood flow and may speed up the recovery time.

To use a cold compress:

  1. Wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply it to your busted lip with light pressure. You can also use frozen gel packs wrapped in a towel for the same effect.
  2. Avoid applying ice cubes or ice packs directly to your injury because that might cause further irritation.
  3. Apply the ice pack with pressure for five to 10 minutes, then repeat until swelling and pain decreases.

Salt water rinse

Salt is often considered an ideal healing agent for minor cuts and lip injuries. Salt contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help clean wound sites. Using a salt water rinse for your busted lip may reduce bacteria and thereby reduce your risk of infection.

To make your own saline solution or salt water rinse:

  1. Mix a tablespoon of salt with lukewarm water.
  2. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, and apply it to your lip with light pressure.
  3. Repeat this process for a few minutes until swelling and light burning decrease.

If this is too painful, wash with soap and water or rinse with plain water.

You can also swish this solution around your mouth to remove any excess debris or bacteria from your lip wound. This method can be combined with other home remedies.

Baking soda

To help reduce swelling and pain, apply a baking soda paste to your lip. Baking soda contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that are thought to promote healing effects.

To make a baking soda paste:

  1. Mix 1 teaspoon of water with 3 teaspoons of baking soda.
  2. Apply the paste to your lip and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
  3. Gently rub the paste off with cold water.

If swelling and pain persist after a few hours, repeat this method.

Turmeric paste

Similar to baking soda, turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It contains curcumin, a compound that helps to promote healing. You can apply turmeric paste to the wound site to help with swelling and pain from a busted lip.

To make a turmeric paste:

  1. Mix 3 teaspoons of turmeric powder with cold water.
  2. Apply the paste to your busted lip, and allow it to dry completely.
  3. Rinse off the solution with lukewarm water.

You can repeat this remedy at least twice a day as long as it isn’t too painful.

 When to call the doctor

A busted or cut lip can cause some discomfort. Some common symptoms include:

  • busted lip kidspain
  • swelling
  • bleeding at the site
  • bruising
  • minor tissue loss
  • small cuts

In most instances, people can treat a busted lip at home without seeking medical attention. However, if a busted lip gets worse instead of better or becomes infected, a person should see a doctor. Severe cases, or the ones left untreated, may cause pain and symptoms that take longer to heal. You should visit a doctor if you begin noticing signs of infection or if you experience the following symptoms:

  • numbness
  • severe pain
  • increased swelling
  • uncontrollable bleeding
  • difficulty breathing
  • trouble swallowing
  • difficulty opening or closing your mouth
  • fever

In addition, if after cleaning your lip you notice the cut or wound is wider than an inch (half an inch in children) or forms a gash, visit a doctor immediately. You should also see a doctor if the wound is very dirty and can’t be cleaned or if it was caused by an animal or human bite. You may need stitches or other medical care.

 

References:

https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abr4267

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326119

https://www.healthline.com/health/busted-lip

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-do-you-take-care-of-a-busted-lip/

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