How Do I Treat a Swollen Lip?

A swollen lip is one of the most common injuries that can occur. Almost everyone will get one at some point in his life. A ball, a fist, hail or an accidentally thrown projectile can all cause swollen lips. Fortunately, taking care of a swollen lip is easy. Read this guide to find out how.

Antihistamines

• Swollen lips can sometimes be caused by allergic reactions, whether to food, medication or airborne pollens. It is important to seek out a doctor if you are unsure of the cause of your swollen lip so that you can determine if allergies are the root cause. If a medical professional assesses that an allergen did indeed trigger the swelling, he or she will likely prescribe an antihistamine to counter the allergic reaction and reduce the swelling. Take the prescribed drug according to instructions. In some instances, you may be told to merely buy an over-the-counter medication, in which case you should still follow the doctor's instructions.

Icing

• If a swollen lip is caused by an impact, such as a fight, a car accident or a baseball, using an object to ice or cool the lip could reduce the swelling. Multiple cooling agents can be used to reduce swelling, including ice, ice packs, refrigerated spoons and frozen bags of vegetables. If applying ice, wrap the cubes in a towel rather than applying directly to the skin because the ice may be so cold as to irritate your lip. Apply the cooling agent as soon as possible after an injury occurs and continue to ice multiple times throughout the day until pain and swelling subside.

Anti-inflammatories

• If the swollen lip is due to injury, the use of anti-inflammatory medication, along with icing, can reduce swelling. Such anti-inflammatory medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Ibuprofen is commonly sold as Advil, and naproxen is commonly sold under the name Aleve. However, if you have certain medical conditions, such as stomach issues, or are on other medications, such as blood thinners, it is important to consult a doctor before using these over-the-counter medications. Anti-inflammatories should be taken either as instructed by a doctor or as the directions suggest on the medication's packaging.