A swollen lip can be embarrassing and painful. Sometimes, a swollen lip can have other symptoms such as bleeding and cuts. These make it hard for you to eat, drink or even talk. A slight movement around your mouth can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. A swollen lip can be as a result of trauma that affected the soft tissues that align the lips. Lip dryness, extreme weather conditions, nutritional deficiency, dehydration, a viral infection or an allergic reaction are also common causes. 

How long does a swollen lip last? There is no given timeline for a swollen lip to go back to normal. However, you can make use of over-the-counter medication to help stop the swelling. You can also try out different home remedies.

How Long Will My Swollen Lip Last and What Causes It?

A swollen lip can be caused by a myriad of factors including an injury, allergies, sun cracking, vitamin deficiency, cereals, angioregia, bug bites, surgery, and various viral and bacterial infections. The length of time it takes to heal is dependent on the cause of the swelling, the severity of the swollen area and the treatment option taken.  It can least anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

The good news is, it’s not permanent but you will have to contend with a few inconveniences. You will have difficulty eating, drinking and even opening the mouth. Sometimes, you may experience bleeding due to cuts. If the swelling is not severe then you can treat the condition at home, However, you might want to see a doctor for diagnosis if the symptoms are extreme as there could be an underlying condition. Below are some of the home treatment options you can use.

Home Remedies to Treat a Swollen Lip

1.    Cold Compresses 

How long does a swollen lip last? It’s not very clear but the first thing you need to do is to apply a cold compress. This is especially so when you just got a lip piercing and suffered a swollen lip in the process. Simply place a few ice cubes in a leak-proof paper and then wrap the paper in a towel. A bag of frozen peas can also be used. Press this compress on the swollen lips gently. Let it sit for ten minutes, break and repeat. You can continue with the cold compress therapy until the swelling stops or reduces. Do not apply the ice cubes directly on your lip as this can cause irritation and frost bite.

2.    Aloe Vera

The gel from Aloe Vera is commonly used for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It is, therefore, very useful when it comes to reducing swelling on a lip. It also helps to stop the burning feeling you get from a swollen lip. It is, however, most ideal for lip swelling caused by insect bites or mosquito bites. It is also helpful for swelling caused by allergies. Cut the aloe vera plant to extract the gel and apply to the swollen lip. Massage it around the swollen area for it to be absorbed. You can do this up to 3 times a day until the swelling subsides.

3.    Using a Black Tea Bag

Black tea is rich in a compound known as tannin. This has amazing astringent qualities that work to reduce swelling on your lips. Simply soak the black tea bag in a glass of warm water for ten minutes. Remove it and allow it to cool. Apply the tea bag on the swollen area for about ten minutes. You can repeat a few times a day for best results.

4.    Warm Water

Warm water will help to reduce swelling and also promote blood circulation in the swollen area. It is also great for soothing pain. 

Soak a washcloth in warm water, wring out excess water and place it on the lips for about 10 minutes. You can repeat this at hourly intervals until the swelling ceases.

5.    Honey

How long does a swollen lip last? This will mostly be determined by how fast to you act to stop the swelling. Honey has healing and antibacterial properties that make it the perfect home remedy for swollen lips. It will help to moisturize the lips, reduce inflammation, and also prevent infections and pain.

Put a bit of honey on a cotton ball and apply it on the swollen lip. You should let it sit for twenty minutes and rinse with cold water. Repeat this at least thrice each day until the swelling stops.

6.    Use Turmeric

Turmeric is a powder used for its antiseptic and also healing properties. This helps to prevent infection as it speeds up the healing process. You can use turmeric powder to make an herbal ointment for your swollen lips. 

Using cold water, mix turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon of fuller’s earth to create a paste. Apply this mixture onto the affected lip and leave it to dry. Clean it up using lukewarm water. Do this twice a day. It helps to get rid of the pain and swelling.

7.    Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a warm salt that soothes the swollen area and helps to relieve pain. Epsom salts help to heal any cuts or bruises on your lips. It also has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help to ease the swelling.

Mix some Epsom salt in water and use a washcloth to apply the solution on the affected lip. Apply the compress for fifteen minutes and dip the cloth in the salt water again then repeat. You can do this a repeatedly until the swelling goes down.

8.    Baking Soda

How long does a swollen lip last? Well, it will depend on how fast you start treatment. In this regard, baking powder can help. Baking soda is a very effective treatment for inflammation caused by allergies and insect bites. You can also use baking soda to treat fever blisters.

Mix a bit of baking soda with water and apply the paste on the swollen area. Allow it to stay on for ten minutes and rinse off with cold water. Repeat the process in 4-hour intervals until the swelling subsides.

9.    Salt and Witch Hazel Extract

Witch hazel is known for its astringent properties. It naturally cleans and disinfects the affected area. It is also known to contain strong anti-inflammatory agents, which help stop the swelling and soothe the swollen area.

Mix a bit of salt with witch hazel and apply the mixture on the affected lip using a cotton ball. Leave it there for half an hour at least and rinse off using cool water. Make sure to repeat this twice or three times a day.

10.    Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been used for centuries for its ability to treat ailments that affect the skin. Its antimicrobial properties help to eliminate fungi, bacteria or virus that may have affected the swollen area. Coconut oil also absorbs all impurities through the skin pores. It is also a great emollient which helps to nourish the skin and keep it supple.

Use a few drops of coconut oil to massage the swollen lips and leave it on for a few hours. You do not need to rinse it off as it will be absorbed by the skin. If the swelling does not stop, apply coconut oil until it does.