11 Home Remedies for Swollen Lips

By
Akinsiwaju Sanya
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How to Treat Swollen Lips

Pout lips look so beautiful on women, don`t they? However, for some, it`s only a dream they`re yet to achieve, as many times, their lips are swollen. This abnormal and seemingly unexplainable enlargement of the lips can be so embarrassing. It sometimes hurts, and it`s never a good sight. We`ve put together some remedies to help you deal with swollen lips. But before the remedies, what exactly are the causes of this condition?

Causes of Swollen Lips

The swelling of the lips usually happens as a result of trauma that affects the soft tissue. There are various other reasons for swollen lips. Here are some of them:

  • Allergic reaction to a food
  • Insect bite
  • Allergic reaction to lip care products
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Dehydration
  • Viral infection
  • Injury or cut
  • Extreme climatic conditions
  • Dryness

11 Home Remedies to Treat Swollen Lips

Witch Hazel Extract and Salt

Items
  • 1 tablespoon witch hazel extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Water
  • Cotton ball
What to Do
  • Mix the witch hazel with the salt.
  • Apply it on the lips with a cotton ball and leave it 30 minutes.
  • Rinse it off with some cool water.
  • Repeat once or twice for the best results.
Why Does this Work?

Witch hazel is an astringent that thoroughly cleans and disinfects the skin’s surface. It also soothes swollen and sensitive lips and reduces inflammation.

Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera

Items
  • 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
  • A few drops of tea tree oil
  • Water
What to Do
  • Add the tea tree oil to the aloe gel and mix it properly.
  • Apply this mixture on your lips.
  • Massage gently for about two minutes.
  • Let it stay 10 minutes before you rinse with cool water.
  • Do this once or twice a day until the swelling reduces.
How Does this Work?

Tea tree oil is a potent antimicrobial agent that reduces swelling caused by infections and insect bites.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Items
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • Cotton ball
What to Do
  • Dilute the apple cider vinegar and apply it on the lips with the cotton ball.
  • Leave it for some minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Do this twice a day.
Why Does this Work?

Apple cider vinegar reduces swelling that is caused by edema and inflammation, particularly because it’s an antiseptic.

Aloe Vera

aloe vera plantYou only need an aloe vera leaf to make this work.

What to Do
  • Cut the leaf open and extract some of the aloe gel.
  • Gently massage a small amount of the gel on the affected area.
  • Let it remain on your lips.
  • Do this twice a day.
Why Does this Work?

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the burning sensation on the lips and cure swollen lips. If the cause of your swollen your lips is insect bite, mosquito bite, or an allergic reaction, this remedy is one of the best you can employ.

Coconut Oil

All you need here is organic coconut oil

What to Do
  • Massage a few drops of coconut oil on the swollen lips.
  • Let it stay for some hours.
  • Keep applying it until the swelling reduces.
Why Does this Work?

Organic coconut oil’s antimicrobial properties eliminate harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It also absorbs all the impurities from the skin pores. That’s not all, as it’s also an effective emollient, and keeps the skin nourished and supple.

Epsom Salt

Items
  • 1 tablespoon Epsom salt
  • 1 cup of warm water
  • Washcloth
What to Do
  • Put some Epsom salt in the water and mix it properly.
  • Dip the washcloth in the water and place it on the swollen lips for 15 minutes.
  • You may keep doing this till you feel relieved.
How Does this Work?

The warm Epsom salt water relieves pain and soothes the skin. It also heals cuts and bruises on the lips. What`s more? its anti-inflammatory properties combat swelling.

Ice Cubes

Items

  • 1-2 ice cubes
  • A soft washcloth
What to Do
  • Wrap the ice cubes in the washcloth.
  • Press this pack gently over the swollen area for 8-10 minutes.
  • Take a 10-minute break and repeat the process.
  • Repeat this at intervals of 3-4 hours.
How Does this Work?

Applying ice reduces the amount of blood that flows to the affected area. You’re advised not to use ice cubes directly on the affected area to avoid sores and frostbite.

Warm Water

Items
  • Warm water
  • A washcloth
What to Do
  • Soak the washcloth in warm water.
  • Take it out and wring it to get out the excess water.
  • Place it on the affected areas for 8-10 minutes.
  • You may do this every hour.
Why Does this Work?

Warm water reduces swelling by enhancing blood circulation. It also soothes the pain on the lips.

Turmeric Powder

Items
  • A pinch of turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon fuller’s earth
  • Cold water
  • Warm water
What to Do
  • Mix the turmeric powder with fuller’s earth and cold water, and apply it all over the swollen area.
  • Let it dry completely.
  • Wash your lips with some warm water.
  • You may do this twice each day.
Why Does this Work?

Turmeric powder`s anti-inflammatory compounds, particularly curcumin, reduce the swelling. It`s also got antiseptic and healing properties.

Baking Soda

A picture of baking sodaItems

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • Water
What to Do
  • Mix the baking soda with some water.
  • Apply the paste on the swollen area.
  • Let it remain for 10 minutes, and then wash it off with some water.
  • You may do this once every 3-4 hours until the swelling reduces.
Why Does this Work?

Baking soda is an effective home remedy for curing swollen lips. This remedy particularly works to treat swollen lips from allergic reactions, fever blisters, a mosquito bite, or an insect bite. The mixture is particularly effective because it is an antiseptic agent that has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Honey

Items
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • A cotton swab or cotton ball
What to Do
  • Dip a fresh cotton ball in the honey. Apply it directly to the affected area.
  • Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing it off with cold water.
  • Do this thrice daily.
Why Does this Work?

The natural healing and antibacterial properties of honey make it super effective at treating swollen lips. It also soothes any itching and irritation that accompany the swelling.

How to Prevent your Lips from Swelling

  • Know your allergies and avoid them. For some persons, citrus fruits, chocolate, egg whites, nuts, fish, dairy products, sesame seeds, latex, pollens, bee and wasp stings may cause their lips to swell.
  • Keep your metabolism in shape by meeting your nutrition needs.
  • Stop biting your lips if you do.
  • Avoid long French kisses; the biting and pressure can make your lips swell.
  • Use repelling cosmetics against insects in summer.
  • Don’t go near bees’ or wasps’ nests.

Other Ways to Care for your Lips against Swelling

  • Wear lip balm and sunscreen to keep them soft and smooth.
  • Exfoliate your lips to make them look attractive.
  • Drink a lot of water to keep your lips hydrated.
  • Avoid licking your lips when they feel dry.
  • Use coconut oil to hydrate your lips by adding a tiny dab on them before bedtime.

Now that you Know…

Not only can you treat swollen lips at home, but you can also prevent the swelling and give your lips the best looks with the simple tricks you just learned. Keep those lips beautiful!

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