It’s not unheard of for an accidental blow to the face or a fall to injure or even split your lip. In some extreme cases people have even accidentally even bitten through their lower lip. If the injury is severe you should consider calling 911 or going to the emergency room. Otherwise, you can call us at (419) 536-9196 for advice.
If the wound is bleeding or there is a lot of dried blood on your lip and chin you can soften it and wipe it away with wet washcloth that has been soaked with warm water. This can also help you get a better understanding extent of the damage. If there is blood or debris in your mouth you can rinse it away with lukewarm salt water. You should avoid using antiseptic mouthwash as this can irritate sensitive tissues.
Often times an injured lip will also have some swelling. Try holding a cold compress, or a bag of frozen vegetables to your lip for 15 minutes to reduce swelling. You shouldn’t hold it there for longer than 15 minutes at a time as excess cold could potentially damage the wounded tissues.
You can lightly press sterile gauze to the wound for 15 to 20 minutes to try to stop the bleeding. However, if the bleeding persists, or the wound continues to open up again, it is usually a sign that it needs further treatment and possibly stitches. Which warrants a trip to the emergency room or urgent care clinic.
If you have questions about the best way to handle the issue or would like to schedule an appointment should call us at (419) 536-9196.