Swollen lips are not only painful, they are also an embarrass condition that easily interferes with one’s daily activities. Swelling on the lips is often caused by trauma to the lip area. Since the lips are made of soft tissue, any form of injury easily causes swelling.In addition to injuries, other causes of swollen lips include infections affecting the respiratory system, allergic reactions, using the wrong lip makeup products as well as extremes in the weather patterns.

woman touching her lipsSwollen lips are accompanied by symptoms such as having difficulties eating, conversing and even opening the mouth. While there are excellent pharmaceutical products that you can use to manage the condition, most of these come at a cost. For this reason, you can always use home remedies that will allow you to treat the condition with minimal side effects.

Note, however, that in cases where swelling is the result of an allergic reaction, you need to get medical attention immediately to prevent further complications in other parts of the body. Each of the remedies listed below includes information on the approximate time it will take you, the specific ingredients of the remedy as well as the difficulty of the same.

1. An Ice Pack:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: 5 Ice cubes and a clean washcloth. Other options include a bag of frozen vegetables or a refrigerated spoon.
Difficulty: Easy

 

As with any other swelling, one of the best things you can do for yourself when you notice your lip is swelling is to use an ice pack. The low temperatures of the pack help numb the lips as well as the keep the swelling down. The key thing to do is not to allow the ice to come into direct contact with the lips as this leads to frost bites. The advantage of using this remedy is that you can repeat it as many times as you would like to. A pack of frozen vegetables works just as excellently.

Directions:

  1. Place the ice cubes on the washcloth and tie the opposite ends so that you end up with a compress of sorts.
  2. Use the compress to massage the swollen lips, making sure you take a break every few minutes.
  3. Use this remedy until the swelling subsides. It is a simple but effective way of reducing the pain and discomfort at the site of the swelling.

 

2. Honey:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of honey and cold water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Honey has long been used to treat swollen lips, thanks to its wide array of healing properties. This sweet remedy is not only an effective choice of anti-inflammatory, it is also a choice remedy in ensuring that the lips remain well moisturized. As such, it is especially recommended for those whose lips are easily affected by extreme weather conditions. Other advantages of using honey include its ability to get rid of potential infections as well as its soothing effect on the lips.

Directions:

  1. Clean your hands well before using your finger to scoop some of the honey and apply on the affected lips.
  2. Allow the honey to dry on the lips for some 20 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.
  3. Use this remedy thrice daily or more depending on the extent of the swelling.

 

3. Baking Soda Paste:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of baking soda, 1/2 tablespoon of water (for the paste) and cold water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Preparing baking soda for the treatment of swollen lips is one of the best things you could do for yourself. The paste is alkaline in nature, which simply means that it is effective in cases where the swelling results from an insect bite. In addition to this, the paste also works to reduce the pain at the site of swelling. You need to apply this paste and leave on for a few minutes before rinsing to allow the healing effects set in.

Directions:

  1. Prepare the paste by adding the water to the baking soda and mixing well.
  2. Take some of the paste and apply it on the swelling, massaging in gentle motions as you do this.
  3. Leave the paste on for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water.
  4. Cold water plays a key role in this as it helps lower the swelling.
  5. Use this remedy daily until the swelling subsides.

 

4. Aloe Vera:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Freshly cut aloe vera leaf and cold water to rinse (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Undoubtedly one of the most reliable home remedies for different conditions affecting the skin, Aloe vera has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that effectively work to keep the swelling down as well as reduce the burning sensation. If the swelling is a result of insect bites, the use of aloe vera goes a long way in promoting quick healing. This remedy requires you to use freshly cut aloe vera leaf to provide the gel that you will need for topical application as mentioned above.

Directions:

  1. Squeeze the edges of the freshly cut leaf in order to collect the gel.
  2. Apply the gel and massage gently, taking care not to press too hard to prevent pain at the site of the swelling.
  3. Leave the gel on the lips for some 15 minutes and then rinse.
  4. Use this remedy severally daily until you are content with the progress made.

 

5. Salt Paste:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon of salt, 1 cup of water and sterile cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Sometimes, swelling on the lips is the result of an injury that breaks the skin on the lips. For this, you will need to apply a disinfectant to prevent infection while reducing the swelling. Salt provides an integral home remedy in this regard as it is both a disinfectant when used on the cut as well as reduces the swelling. Use this remedy for as long as the cut on the lips has not healed.

Directions:

  1. Place the salt in the water and stir to dissolve.
  2. Soak the cotton ball in the salty solution and dab it on the swollen lip as well as where the cut is located.
  3. You will feel a tingling sensation as the salty water comes into contact with the salty water, but this soon eases to allow for quick recovery.
  4. Use this remedy as often as you need to until the cut heals and the swelling is eliminated.

 

6. Warm Compress:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: A clean washcloth and hot water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

A warm compress is recommended for the treatment of swollen lips as they work by increasing the flow of blood to the affected lips. Note however, that this remedy for swollen lips (and indeed any part of the skin that is swollen) is recommended some 24 hours after the swellings sets in. It is not recommended for use immediately as the increased flow of blood will only contribute to greater swelling. After about 24 hours however, the use of a warm compress however improves blood flow for quick healing, while effectively allowing for the fluid around the swelling to drain.

Directions:

  1. Place the washcloth in the hot water for a few seconds and then proceed to squeeze the excess water.
  2. Fold the washcloth and quickly place it on the swollen lips for about 5 minutes.
  3. Take a minute off and repeat step 2 until the washcloth cools down.
  4. Repeat this remedy as often as you need to 24 hours after the swelling sets in.
  5. You may also opt to use the cold and warm compress alternately.

 

7. Used Black Tea Bag:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Used tea bag, preferably frozen. If you do not have a used one, consider using a fresh one and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Black tea bags are best known for their rich concentration of tannins. Tannins are a set of compounds whose astringent properties work to reduce the extent of swelling on the lips. When frozen, the low temperatures help numb the skin and allow for the lips to heal. This is a simple but effective remedy, one you can use as often as you need to.

Directions:

  1. If you do not have a used teabag, soak the fresh one in a cup of warm water and let it steep for a couple of minutes.
  2. Let it cool for 5 minutes. You may use a set of ice cubes for this purpose.
  3. Place the cold teabag on the swollen lip for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Use daily until the swelling eases.

 

8. Witch Hazel:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Teaspoons of witch hazel, 1 teaspoon of salt and sterile cotton ball.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Witch hazel has excellent astringent properties that work to effectively reduce the swelling. The herb’s soothing properties are a great relief for swollen lips too as they ease the swelling. Witch hazel also has antiseptic properties, so that when added to salt, results in a potent home remedy. Follow the directions below to treat swollen lips.

Directions:

  1. Add the salt to the witch hazel and mix well.
  2. You will then use the cotton ball to apply the mixture on the lips, making sure you focus on the swollen area.
  3. Let the mixture remain on the lips for half an hour before rinsing with cold water.
  4. Repeat as often as you need to until the lips make a full recovery.

 

Note that is the swelling does not subside after using your choice remedy for a considerable period of time, you need to get medical attention. This is done to ensure that there is no serious underlying medical condition.