Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Lip wounds can be painful. If not treated properly, it can lead to serious infections, especially when dirt and foreign moisture get into the wound when it hasn't been cleaned. This article will explain how to quickly stop bleeding and treat the wound to prevent infection or scarring.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Disinfecting Wounds

1. 

   Wash your hands. Before treating any wound, make sure your hands are clean to avoid infecting the wound with bacteria on your skin. Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. You can use an antiseptic solution after washing your hands.
   • Use vinyl gloves if available. You can use rubber gloves instead, but make sure your lips are not allergic to the rubber. It is important not to let your hands and wound come into direct contact to avoid infection.

2. 

   
   
   Avoid infecting the wound. Do not breathe, cough or sneeze near the wound site.

3. 

   Tilt the head of the person to be treated forward. If the lips are still bleeding, have the injured person sit upright, face forward, and lower the chin. By drawing blood forward, not letting the blood stick to your mouth, you can prevent the sick person from swallowing blood, which can cause vomiting or choking.

4. 

   
   
   Examine the area around the wound. Usually when the mouth is injured, other areas are also injured from the original trauma. See a medical facility if you experience the following:
   • Tooth loss
   • A fracture of the face or jaw
   • Difficulty swallowing or breathing

5. 

   Confirm if the person has had the vaccine. If the wound is metal or contaminated object, the injured person is at risk of getting tetanus.
   • Infants and young children need to be vaccinated against tetanus at 2 months of age, 4 months, 6 months of age, and again at 15-18 months of age, finally getting a higher dose at 4-6 years old.
   • If the injured person has a contaminated wound, they should be sure to have a booster shot within the past 5 years. If not, it should be injected immediately.
   • Adolescents and teenagers should get the booster shot at 11-18 years old.
   • Adults should get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.

6. 

   
   
   Wash your mouth. Ask the injured person to remove any jewelry around the wound, if any, including tongue tips or lip rings. Also spit any food or gum in your mouth when injured.

7. 

   Sponge. This is extremely important to avoid infection and reduce the risk of scarring.
   • If there are objects caught in the wound - dust particles or dirty sand - remove them by letting the person wash the wound themselves under running water until the dirt is gone.
   • If the injured person is not comfortable doing this, you can take a glass of water and pour it over the wound. Continue to flush the wound until it is completely clean.
   • Use a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide to deeply wash the wound. Make sure the injured person does not accidentally swallow hydrogen peroxide.
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Part 2 of 3: Stability of Blood

1. 

   Force effect. It is best to let the injured person press on their own lips, you can help them, remember to wear clean rubber gloves.
   • Using a clean towel or gauze pad or bandage, gently press and hold the wound for 15 minutes. If a towel, gauze pad or bandage is soaked with blood, remove the old piece and replace it with a new one.

2. 

   Check the wound after 15 minutes. The wound may have stopped or less bleeding after 45 minutes, if the bleeding persists after the first 15 minutes, you should seek medical attention.
   • The mouth - which includes the gums, tongue, and lips - has many blood vessels and major blood supplies, so mouth injuries can bleed more than other areas of the body.
   • Apply force to the inside: teeth, jaw or gums.
   • If the injured person feels uncomfortable, place a clean gauze pad or cloth sandwiched between the teeth and the lips, then continue applying the force.

3. 

   Contact a medical professional if needed. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or the injured person has difficulty breathing or swallowing, or they have lost their teeth or teeth in the wrong position, or you cannot remove all dirt and debris, or you are worried they are injured on the face, you should contact your doctor to check whether stitches are needed or professional treatment is needed. Contact your doctor as soon as possible as the longer the wound is open and bleeding, the higher the risk of infection. If you have any questions, you should contact your doctor.
   • If the cut is deep into your lips, seek medical attention immediately. If the cut on the red part of the lips and the area around the lips are normal (across the lip line), the injured person should see a doctor to sew the wound. Sewing the wound will reduce the risk of infection and ensure the wound is treated in the most aesthetic way.
   • Doctors recommend stitching the wound if the cut is deep and open, meaning that you can place your fingers on either side of the wound and gently open the wound with light pressure.
   • The doctor also recommends stitching the wound if the skin flap is easily stitched.
   • Deep lacerations that need stitches should not be left for more than 8 hours, and should be treated early.
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Part 3 of 3: Wound Treatment

1. 

   Understand expectations. Small cuts in the mouth usually heal within 3-4 days, a serious wound or a deep cut will take longer, especially a cut on the part of the lips that moves a lot when eating and drinking.
   • If the injured person has seen a doctor, they should follow the doctor's instructions for wound care, including taking antibiotics.

2. 

   Use a cold compress. An ice pack or a couple of ice cubes wrapped in a clean towel or a clean sandwich bag can ease pain and reduce inflammation.
   • Place a cold compress for 20 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes.

3. 

   Consider using a specialized or natural antiseptic. After the bleeding has stopped, you need to start treating the wound so that it heals. There is some disagreement in the medical world over whether an antiseptic is necessary, especially with overuse creams. However, some studies have suggested that they are beneficial for treatment if used correctly and appropriately.
   • If you use a special antiseptic, you can buy them at a drugstore or convenience store. If you have any questions ask your doctor or pharmacist which product is best for you. Be sure to use the product exactly as directed by your doctor.
   • Alternatively, you can apply honey or granulated sugar to the wound. Sugar will absorb water from the wound, preventing bacteria by absorbing moisture from their breeding environment. Honey is also an antiseptic. Research shows that applying sugar and honey to a wound before applying it can reduce pain and prevent infection.

4. 

   Limit the range of mouth motions. If the injured person opens his mouth too loudly when he yawns, laughs out loud, or takes a large bite of food, this may upset them or even open the wound. In the case of a open wound, the person is once again exposed to the risk of infection and has to start treating the wound all over again.

5. 

   Eat liquid foods. The more restricted chewing by the injured person, the less likely it is that the wound will open its mouth. They should drink plenty of water to hydrate their tissues; This also prevents the wound from opening.
   • Avoid salt contact, determined to cause pain.
   • Avoid hard, crispy, angular foods like french fries or tortillas.
   • Wash the wound with warm water after eating to wash any leftover food scraps.
   • Contact a doctor if the injured person has difficulty eating or drinking due to the cut.

6. 

   Report signs of infection to your doctor immediately. Although you've done your best to prevent further infections and wounds, sometimes things don't go as it should. Contact a medical professional immediately if one of the following symptoms is observed:
   • Fever 38ºC or higher
   • Sudden drop in blood pressure
   • Red, swollen, hot, and painful skin, or a festering wound
   • Less urination
   • Rapid pulse
   • Rapidly breath
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Diarrhea
   • Difficult to open mouth
   • The skin around the wound is red, swollen, painful
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Advice

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated

Warning

• Do not touch the cut except while taking care of the wound, as it will cause pain and possible infection caused by dirt and bacteria.
• Blood-borne pathogens spread easily without proper precautions. Always wear rubber gloves and wash your hands before treating someone's wound.
• If the wound condition worsens, seek medical attention immediately.
• See a medical facility if the cut was caused by an animal such as a dog or a cat because the wound is prone to infection.