While generally not serious, a fat lip can be an embarrassing and painful injury. A fat lip can be the result of multiple incidents, including a blow to the face or an insect bite or sting. The swelling results from trauma to the soft tissue of the lip. If you have a fat lip, you probably want to see results as fast as possible. That is possible with a quick, step-by-step approach.
Step 1
Access the damage. Look in a mirror or have a friend examine your lip. Pull your lip down to examine the inside. Look for bleeding or an open wound that may need professional medical attention.
Step 2
Rinse your mouth out with clean water to cleanse the wound. If possible, use bottled or distilled water mixed with salt.
Step 3
Make a cold compress. Place a few ice cubes in a sealable sandwich bag. You can also wrap the ice in a paper towel. If available, use the cold compress available in most first aid kits.
Step 4
Apply the cold compress to your lip. Hold it there for 15 minutes at a time with 15-minute breaks in between. Repeat until the swelling starts to subside.
Step 5
If your fat lip is the result of a bee sting, take an over-the-counter antihistamine like diphenhydramine. If the swelling or pain is particularly bad, take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, like ibuprofen or naproxen. Follow the dosing instructions on the package or bottle.
Step 6
Before bed, apply a lip balm containing vitamin E. You can make your own by buying vitamin E liquid capsules, pricking the capsule with a pin and spreading the liquid on your lips.
Things You'll Need
- Ice or cold compress
- Lip balm or vitamin E liquid capsules
References
- Stoddard County Public Health Center: A Parent's Guide to First Aid
- American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care; American Medical Association; 2009
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