How to Treat Lip Cuts

A cut on your lips can be very painful. If not treated properly, it could lead to severe infections, especially when dirt and moisture from the outside make contact with the wound before it's cleaned. This guide will explain how to stop the bleeding quickly and treat the wound to prevent infections or scarring.

Wash your hands thoroughly. Before treating any wound, it's essential to ensure your hands are clean to avoid introducing bacteria from your skin to the injury. Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. After washing, you may use a disinfectant solution.

• If available, wear vinyl gloves. Rubber gloves can be used as a substitute, but make sure the lips are not allergic to latex. It's crucial that your hands don't come into direct contact with the wound to prevent infection.

Avoid causing infection to the wound. Do not breathe, cough, or sneeze near the wound area.

Lean the injured person’s head forward. If the lip continues to bleed, have the injured person sit up straight, lean forward, and lower their chin. By directing the blood forward, you prevent it from entering the mouth, which could cause them to swallow the blood, leading to nausea or choking.

Check the surrounding areas of the wound. Typically, when the mouth is injured, other areas may also be affected due to the initial trauma. Seek medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Loose teeth
• Facial or jaw bone fractures
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Verify if the person has received their vaccinations. If the injury involves metal or contaminated objects, there’s a risk of tetanus infection.

• Infants and young children should receive tetanus shots at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with a booster shot at 15-18 months, and another higher dose between ages 4-6 years.
• If the injury involves contamination, ensure the person received a tetanus booster shot within the last 5 years. If not, they should get one immediately.
• Teens should get a booster shot between ages 11-18 years.
• Adults should receive regular tetanus boosters every 10 years.

Clean the mouth thoroughly. Ask the injured person to remove any jewelry around the wound, including tongue or lip piercings. Also, have them spit out any food or chewing gum in their mouth at the time of injury.

Clean the wound. This step is crucial to prevent infection and reduce the risk of scarring.

• If there are any objects stuck in the wound—such as dirt or sand—help the injured person rinse the wound under running water until it is free of debris.
• If the injured person is unable to do this themselves, you can pour water over the wound using a cup. Continue rinsing until the wound is completely clean.
• Use a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound deeply. Ensure the injured person does not accidentally swallow the hydrogen peroxide.

Apply pressure. It’s best to let the injured person press on their lip themselves, but you can assist them. Remember to wear clean rubber gloves.

• Use a clean cloth, gauze, or bandage, gently press, and hold the wound for 15 minutes. If the cloth, gauze, or bandage becomes soaked with blood, replace it with a fresh one.

Check the wound after 15 minutes. The bleeding may have slowed or stopped after 45 minutes, but if the bleeding persists after the first 15 minutes, you should seek medical attention.

• The mouth, including the gums, tongue, and lips, has many blood vessels and a primary blood supply, so injuries to the mouth may bleed more than other areas of the body.
• Apply pressure to the inside: teeth, jaw, or gums.
• If the injured person feels discomfort, place a clean cloth or gauze between the teeth and lips, then continue applying pressure.

Contact a medical professional if necessary. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, or if the person has difficulty breathing or swallowing, or if they have lost teeth or their teeth are out of position, or if you cannot remove all debris and dirt, or if you are concerned about a facial injury, you should contact a doctor to check if stitches or professional treatment are needed. Contact the doctor as soon as possible because the longer an open wound bleeds, the higher the risk of infection. If you have any doubts, reach out to a healthcare provider.

• If the cut is deep into the lip, seek medical attention immediately. If the cut is on the red part of the lip and the surrounding area is normal (around the lip’s border), the injured person should see a doctor for stitches. Stitches will reduce the risk of infection and ensure the wound is treated in the most aesthetic way possible.
• Doctors recommend stitching the wound if it is deep and gaping, meaning you can gently open the wound with light pressure on both sides.
• Doctors also recommend stitching the wound if the skin flap can be easily stitched.
• Deep cuts that need stitches should be treated within 8 hours, so prompt care is necessary.

Understand the healing expectations. Minor cuts inside the mouth typically heal within 3-4 days, while more severe or deeper cuts, especially those on the lip that move when eating or drinking, may take longer.

• If the injured person has seen a doctor, they should follow the doctor’s instructions for wound care, including taking antibiotics if prescribed.

Use cold compresses. A cold pack or ice cubes wrapped in a clean towel or sandwich bag can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

• Apply the cold compress for 20 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes.

Consider using specialized or natural antiseptic products. Once the bleeding is controlled, you should begin treating the wound to promote healing. There is some debate in the medical community about whether antiseptic creams are necessary, especially those that are overused. However, some studies suggest they may be beneficial if used correctly and appropriately.

• If using a specialized antiseptic cream, you can find it at pharmacies or convenience stores. If you have any doubts, ask your doctor or pharmacist which product would be best for you. Be sure to follow the doctor’s instructions when using the product.
• Alternatively, you can apply honey or granulated sugar to the wound. Sugar draws moisture away from the wound, preventing bacteria by dehydrating their breeding environment. Honey is also an antiseptic. Research shows that applying sugar and honey to the wound before bandaging can reduce pain and prevent infection.

Limit the movement of the mouth. If the injured person opens their mouth too wide while yawning, laughing loudly, or eating large bites, this can cause discomfort or even reopen the wound. In the case of a reopened wound, the person risks infection and may need to treat the injury again from the start.

Eat soft foods. The less the injured person chews, the lower the risk of reopening the wound. They should drink plenty of water to hydrate the tissues, which also helps prevent the wound from reopening.

• Avoid letting the wound come into contact with salt or citrus, as these can cause pain.
• Steer clear of hard, crunchy, or sharp foods like chips or tortilla chips.
• Rinse the wound with warm water after eating to remove any leftover food particles.
• If the injured person has difficulty eating or drinking due to the cut, contact a doctor.

Report signs of infection to a doctor immediately. Despite your best efforts to prevent infection and further injury, things may not always go as planned. Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or higher
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness of the skin, or the wound becoming pus-filled
• Decreased urination
• Rapid pulse
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Redness, swelling, and pain around the wound area

• Avoid touching the cut unless you're treating the wound, as doing so could cause pain and increase the risk of infection from dirt and bacteria.
• Bloodborne pathogens can easily spread without proper precautions. Always wear rubber gloves and wash your hands before tending to someone's wound.
• If the condition of the wound worsens, seek medical attention immediately.
• Visit a healthcare facility if the cut is caused by an animal, such as a dog or cat, as these types of wounds are more prone to infection.