Insect bites, infections, allergies and health deficiencies can result in swollen lips. The following are some of the simple home remedies to be followed:

Simple home remedies:

• You may try pressing a cold compress pack on the swollen area by filling a towel with ice. In case you do not have ice cubes ready, you can soak a soft towel in fresh cold water and press the swollen area gently for about half an hour. Repeat this treatment thrice a day at regular intervals.

• Prevent drying and cracking of swollen lips by applying a waxy lip balm that has moisturizing or pain relieving properties.

• If your lip is swollen because of a cut, you need to dissolve a tbsp. of salt in slightly warm water and dab this water gently on the cut with a cotton ball. You may have a burning sensation but this treatment would help in healing the wound faster.

• If you do not see a cut, avoid using warm water on your lip as it would induce further swelling due to increase in the blood flow to that area.

• You can use various whole food products like bromelin and to treat swelling.

• Ice your lip with Benadryl to remove swelling very fast.

• Put a dry soft towel on the swollen area and keep a bag of frozen peas on the area to bring down swelling.

• You can directly put ice on the swollen area for 10 minutes and again take it off for 10 minutes. Repeat the process until the intense swelling comes down. If you feel too cold or it hurts, stop this remedy as it may induce more swelling.

• Avoid licking your lips often if they are swollen, dry or chapped. It would cause more damage.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your lips hydrated and moist.

Identifying the cause of swollen lip:

• If your swollen lip has blisters or sores, it is better to consult a doctor as it may be caused due to a viral infection.

• If you feel very itchy and your lips are red and swollen, it may be because of some allergic reaction caused by external agents like medicines, chemicals, perfumes or detergents. In that case, do not use those items that cause such allergies.

• In case you get a swollen lip due to a food allergy, it is better to avoid food items containing that particular ingredient.

• Sometimes, the cosmetics that you use for lip care may not suit your skin due to some ingredient. You may either stop using the product or change to some other brand.

• In case you are not able to identify the cause of the allergy and it is quite repetitive, you can try and change the pillows, bed covers, mattresses and linens. Even that could cause an infection which may not be aware of.

• If your swollen lip is due to nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B deficiency, you need to consume foods that can provide adequate nourishment to counter those deficiencies.

Jonathan Pitts

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