How to Heal a Fat Lip: Remedy for a Fat Lip

A fat lip is caused when the tissue in the lip gets damaged due to trauma, piercing or insect bites. In either case, a swollen lip causes pain and also embarrassment to some extent. Although time is the best healer, read on to how to heal a fat lip using these simple remedies…
How to Heal a Fat Lip: Remedy for a Fat Lip
Before starting with the treatment for a fat lip one should assess the damage caused to the tissue. A blow to the mouth can cause the tissue in the lip to get gashed by the teeth. Such a trauma could also cause damage to one's teeth. Treatment for a fat lip involves reducing the swelling as well as sealing cuts that may be caused due to a blow or injury to the lip. In case of a big cut, medical help should be sought. However, if the damage is minor, simple remedies can be used to treat a fat lip.

How to Heal a Fat Lip?
  • Apply Ice: Applying ice is a very popular remedy for a fat lip. Crush a few ice cubes and wrap them up in a paper cloth or towel. Gently press the towel or paper cloth to the fat lip. This cold compress could be applied to the outside as well as inside surface of the lip. Besides helping the swelling to subside, the low temperature of the ice will numb the area that would reduce the sensation of pain. However, one should be careful not to apply ice to the lip for a long time as this might cause injury to the skin and further aggravate the problem. A cold compress for 10 to 15 minutes alternating with equally long intervals should bring relief. This exercise can be done 3 to 4 times a day. However, how soon the fat lip gets healed largely depends upon the damage caused to the tissue.
  • Natural Remedy: If you are wondering how to treat a fat lip, you could fall back on nature for an answer. Aloe Vera and tea tree oil are effective in treating a fat lip, and specially for minor cuts. Applying it 2 to 3 times daily to the injured area will hasten the healing process. Arnica oil is a good solution for fat lips. Vitamin E oil, honey with butter or honey mixed with castor oil could also be used. Turmeric has excellent antiseptic properties. Turmeric powder mixed with glycerin could also be applied on the lips. Essential oils like that of peppermint or lavender mixed with vegetable oils like coconut or olive oil can be applied as this is helpful for healing the fat lip as well as reduce the swelling.
  • Medical Ointments: Medical ointments like Carmex or Blistex also serve as a useful remedy for a fat lip. Cuts in the areas around the lip could be treated with Neosporin or any other medicated ointment. Vaseline or petroleum jelly could be used to keep out infection and also seal the cut in case the injury has been caused due to a blow.
  • Warm Water Salt Solution: In case there is a cut inside the lip, one could consider using a warm water solution. However, the thing to remember is that the salt in the solution will sting the cut area. Nevertheless, the benefits of the salt solution is worth the discomfort.
Although a fat lip is a common problem, there is no quick cure for it. However, trying out one of the remedies discussed above in this article can bring some relief from the pain and swelling. In case the swelling persists longer than you had guessed or if the fat lip had been caused due to no apparent reason, it is best to pay a visit to your doctor and seek professional advise.

By Debopriya Bose
Published: 7/9/2009
 
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