Heal a Split Lip

Whether you split your lip playing sports or due to dryness, it is important to treat the injured area carefully. To promote healing, start by stopping any bleeding and assessing the depth of the split. Wash out the split with water and apply an antibiotic ointment. Over the next few days, keep the swelling in check by using healing pastes. See your doctor if you notice any signs of infection.

Steps

Providing Immediate Care

1. Wash your hands. Before you touch your face or injured lip, place your hands under warm water for at least 20 seconds and lather them up with soap. If you are outside and without water access, run an alcohol wipe over your hands before proceeding. This minimizes the germs that could transfer from your fingertips to the cut.
2. Wash the wound with water and mild soap. Place your lip under the faucet and let the water run into the split area, cleansing it of dirt or debris. Apply a bit of microbial soap to a cotton swab or ball and gently dab the injured area. Wash the soap away with water. Avoid scrubbing the split spot or you may cause it to break open further.
   • Be aware that lip wounds that are not properly cleaned are more likely to scar or require further treatment.
3. Place a cold compress on the split. If your mouth or lips feel swollen or bruised, put a small ice back on the area for a few minutes until the swelling begins to subside. If you can’t find an ice pack, a clean hand towel run under cold water has the same effect. Give children a popsicle to suck on to numb the pain and minimize bleeding.
   • The cold should also minimize bleeding, so that you can take a closer look at your injury. If the wound does not stop bleeding after a few rounds of cold compresses and mild pressure, then reach out to your doctor.
   • Avoid putting an ice cube directly on your lip, as it can damage the surrounding skin. Likewise, don’t hold a cold compress onto your lips for more than a few minutes at a time.
4. Assess the injury. Now that you can see clearly into the split area, get in front of a mirror and try to assess the depth and extent of the injury. If the cut is very deep and you are worried about it not closing fully or properly, then contact your doctor for advice. If the cut impacts your ability to speak or involves a dental injury, then a visit to the dentist may be in order. If you decide to treat the injury yourself, then reassess it every day.
5. Dab on a topical analgesic ointment. Once you are satisfied that the split is clean, protect the area from infection by applying a small amount of analgesic or antibiotic ointment. Place a pea-sized amount of the ointment on a cotton swab and then apply it to the split. Reapply as directed on the package.
   • The salicylic acid in analgesic ointments will reduce the itching if your lip is split due to an insect bite. Look for ointments with aloe vera or eucalyptus for even more healing help.
6. Apply a liquid bandage. If the cut is shallow enough for you to treat, then purchase a plastic skin bandage kit. Shake the bottle and swipe on a thin layer of liquid bandaging. Aim for a thin coating of the injured area. Apply a second coat after the first one dries. The liquid bandage will be flexible enough to accommodate your split healing and should last for a week.
   • Keep the applied layers thin or they will peel off.
7. Seek emergency treatment. If the split is deep enough so that the two sides cannot easily come together, then you may need stitches. If the split is located in the corner of your mouth and continues to bleed without stopping after ten minutes of pressure, then a doctor should assess the injury. The same goes if you are concerned that an object or debris may be located in the wound.
   • Be aware that if the split was caused by an object injury, then you might need to receive a tetanus shot. Check with medical professionals ASAP if this is the case.

Promoting Healing

1. Apply a baking soda paste. In a small bowl, mix together three teaspoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of distilled water. Stir until a thick paste forms. Dip the cotton swab into the paste and then apply a layer onto the injured area. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Rinse off with water. Repeat as needed to minimize pain and swelling.
2. Dab with a saline-soaked cotton ball. In a small bowl, place a cup of lukewarm water and a tablespoon of salt. Dip a cotton ball or swab into the solution and then apply it to the injured lip. It will sting or burn slightly. Repeat as desired.
   • The salt will help to reduced inflammation and counter infection in the split area.
3. Apply a turmeric paste. In a small bowl, place three teaspoons of turmeric powder. Add teaspoons of water until a thick paste forms. Use a cotton swab to apply this paste directly onto the split. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
   • The turmeric helps to kill off any nasty bacteria in the wound.
4. Avoid irritating foods. Be aware that as your lip heals it will be particularly sensitive to salty, spicy, or citrusy foods. Stay away from orange juice or hot wings, for example, unless you want to experience some stinging. Eating these items may also cause the lips to swell up again, which can extend the healing process.
5. Keep your fingers and tongue away. The more that you lick the area, the more that it will dry out and crack. You may also create a cold sore within, or next to, the split. Try to avoid the temptation to pick at or explore the injured area with your fingers, too. You could deepen the wound or introduce it to harmful bacteria.
6. Talk with your doctor or dentist. If the cut begins to redden or increases in soreness after your initial treatment, then reach to your doctor, as you could have an infection. Or, if your teeth are increasingly painful, then talk with your dentist, as you could have sustained a dental injury. A medical professional can also help you if you are suffering from persistent mouth dryness and cracked lips.

Protecting Your Lips

1. Apply lip balm. After your lip has healed, buy a non-medicated, beeswax-based, unflavored lip balm and apply it frequently. It’s even better if the balm contains lanolin or petroleum. Some lip balms even have an SPF rating and can help protect your lips from dryness caused by sun exposure.
   • Don’t use lip balm from a pot as it can lead to infection due to bacteria.
2. Increase your water intake. To keep your entire body hydrated, and avoid cracked and split lips, drink at least eight glasses of water per day. To promote healing of a split lip, boosting your water intake up by a few glasses might even help.
3. Use a humidifier. Wintery and cold weather can create dry conditions that will cause your lips to crack. These cracks can then turn into deep splits. To counter this pattern, use a humidifier in your room at night. Or, install a humidistat device on your interior heating and cooling system.
   • This is especially a good idea if you are a known mouth-sleeper, which can dry out your lips even more.
4. Monitor your medications. If you suffer from continue split lips, it could be that your medications are to blame. Read all of the warning labels for your meds, looking for any cautions against dryness. If you see something that concerns you, talk with your doctor about medication alternatives.
   • For example, some acne medications dry up the moisture and oils on your entire face, including your lips.
5. Take a multivitamin. Split lips are often a sign of a vitamin deficiency. To counter this problem, take a quality multivitamin each day that contains iron and zinc. B9 (folate) and other B vitamins can also promote skin healing. Try out a few different vitamin combinations, with the guidance of your doctor, to see what works the best for you.

Tips

• It is also possible that your toothpaste is causing your split or cracked lips. It may help to switch to a sensitive or all-natural alternative brand.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Heal a Skin Tear
• Care for a Bandage or Splint on a Cat
• McConnell Tape Your Knee
• Untrap a Nerve in Your Elbow
• Rehab a Sprained Ankle
• Heal Scabs on Your Face
• Heal Venous Leg Ulcers
• Heal Scratches
• Tape an Ankle Like an Athletic Trainer
• Remove a Deep Splinter

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