If you have woken up with swollen lips in the morning, you are not alone. External factors such as medications, allergic reaction to food, or insect bites, can contribute to unusually large and swollen lips. Although stressful to deal with this condition, there are natural remedies that can get rid of swollen lips effectively. In this article, we will explore the factors behind swollen lips and home remedies that can reduce them.
Note: Consult a doctor immediately if the swollen lips persist even after trying home remedies.
In This Article
Causes Of Swollen Lips
Swelling of the lips may happen due to any trauma to the soft tissue. However, there are various other reasons that may cause swollen lips. Some of the common reasons are:
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- Nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Viral infection
- Dryness
- Injury or cut
- Allergic reaction to a food product
- Insect bite
- Bad lip care products
- Extreme climatic conditions
Often, swollen lips may be accompanied by cuts and bleeding. This may make it difficult for the person to eat, drink, or talk properly. Use the remedies listed below to treat this condition.
Home Remedies For Swollen Lips
- Ice Cubes
- Warm Water
- Turmeric Powder
- Aloe Vera
- Baking Soda
- Honey
- Witch Hazel Extract And Salt
- Tea Tree Oil And Aloe Vera
- Coconut Oil
- Epsom Salt
- Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Ice Cubes
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Ice may reduce edema by decreasing the amount of blood flowing to the affected site (1). Using ice cubes on the affected area may help in healing the swollen lips.
You Will Need
- 1-2 ice cubes
- A soft washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Wrap the ice cubes in the wash cloth and press the ice pack gently on the affected area for 8-10 minutes.
- Take a break of 10 minutes and repeat the process.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat every few hours.
Note: Avoid applying ice cubes directly on the skin as it may result in mild frostbite or soreness.
Stylecraze SaysYou can also use readymade frozen gel packs for the same effect.
2. Warm Water
Warm water therapy promotes blood circulation in the human body (2). Applying warm water on the affected area may cure swollen lips. It may also soothe the pain one might experience from the swelling.
You Will Need
- Warm water
- A washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Soak the washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess water from the cloth.
- Place the washcloth on the lips for 8-10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this process every hour (if required).
3. Turmeric Powder
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The curcumin present in turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory properties (3). Turmeric is also known for its antiseptic and healing properties (4). Hence, using turmeric powder may help in treating swollen lips.
You Will Need
- Fuller’s earth
- Turmeric powder
- Cold water
What You Have To Do
- Prepare a herbal ointment by mixing turmeric powder with Fuller’s earth and cold water.
- Apply the prepared ointment on the swollen area.
- Allow it to dry completely.
- Wash your lips with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
Related: 18 Health Benefits Of Turmeric, How To Use It, & Side Effects
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera exhibits anti-inflammatory and healing properties (5). Using aloe vera may reduce swollen lips caused by mosquito bite, insect bite, or allergic reactions.
You Will Need
Aloe Vera Leaf
What You Have To Do
- Extract the aloe vera gel present inside the leaf.
- Apply a small amount of gel on the affected area and massage gently.
- Leave it on for as long as possible.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
5. Baking Soda
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Baking soda exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties (6). It may help in treating swollen lips caused due to fever blisters, allergic reactions, or insect bites.
You Will Need
- Baking soda
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Mix the baking soda with some water.
- Apply a thick coat of this paste on the swollen area.
- Keep it on for 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once every 3-4 hours.
Related: 20 Beauty Benefits Of Baking Soda You Must Know!
6. Honey
Honey has natural healing and antibacterial properties (7). It may also help soothe any itching or irritation that may accompany a swollen lip.
You Will Need
- Honey
- Cotton ball or cotton swab
What You Have To Do
- Use a cotton ball to apply honey on the affected area.
- Wash it off with cold water after 20 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2-3 times a day.
Related: 10 Types Of Honey: What, How, And Why Should You Know About Them!
7. Witch Hazel
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Witch hazel is a popular astringent that cleans and disinfects the skin surface (8). It may reduce the inflammation around the swollen lips.
You Will Need
- Witch hazel extract
- Salt
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix salt and witch hazel.
- Apply the mixture to the affected area with a cotton ball.
- Rinse it off with cool water after 30 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times a day.
Related: 24 Amazing Witch Hazel Benefits, How To Use, & Side Effects
8. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a strong antimicrobial agent (9). It may help reduce swelling caused by infections and insect bites.
You Will Need
- A few drops of tea tree oil
- 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
What You Have To Do
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil and a teaspoon of aloe vera gel.
- Apply this mixture on the lips and massage gently for a minute or two.
- Rinse with cool water after 10 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1-2 times a day.
9. Coconut Oil
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The lauric acid in coconut oil exhibits strong antimicrobial properties (10). These properties may eliminate harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses while absorbing all impurities from the skin pores. It may also act as an emollient and keep the skin nourished and supple.
You Will Need
Organic coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Massage a few drops of coconut oil on the swollen lips.
- Leave it on for a couple of hours.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once a day until the swelling goes down.
10. Epsom Salt
It is believed that Epsom salt may soothe the swollen lips and help them heal quickly. However, there is no scientific research to back this claim.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt
- 1 cup of warm water
- Washcloth
What You Have To Do
- Mix the Epsom salt in the water and dip the washcloth in this solution.
- Place the washcloth dipped in the warm water on the swollen lips for 15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this procedure a few times a day until swelling subsides.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it may help in treating swollen lips.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of water
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Dilute the apple cider vinegar and apply it on the lips with the cotton ball.
- Leave it on for a couple of minutes.
- Rinse with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
Stylecraze SaysSeek emergency medical aid if you experience symptoms such as trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, high fever, numbness or increasing pain along with swollen lips.
Infographic: Top 5 Easy Home Remedies To Manage Swollen Lips
Whether the swollen lips are caused by an injury, allergic reaction, or a bug bite, you can use any remedy from the list to ease discomfort. However, a few of them are really effective and show faster results. Check out the infographic below to learn more about them.
Swelling of the lips generally occurs as a result of any trauma to the soft tissue of the lips. Nutritional deficiencies, infections, injury, harsh climatic conditions, and allergic reactions are a few of the most common causes of swollen lips. Common home remedies for swollen lips include the use of ice cubes, aloe vera, honey, coconut oil, or witch hazel extract with salt. Along with your preferred home remedy, it is important that you also follow and balanced and healthy diet rich in vitamins. In case your lips continue to remain swollen despite using appropriate home remedies, consult your healthcare provider.
