First of all, we should start this home remedy guide by warning you that not every blister on lip can be treated safely at home. Before attempting to care for any lip sores at home, you should first be sure of exactly what type of sores you are dealing with.
A blister on lip may sometimes be the sign of an underlying condition you may not be aware of, from an infection with the herpes virus (if dealing with fever sores) to a compromised immune system (if dealing with canker sores) and, in rare cases, even lip cancer.
If you are dealing with a blister on the lip, which is recurring, or if you are not sure of its causes, the best thing to do is to schedule a doctor’s appointment. Only after you get a medical professional’s opinion you will be able to treat the root causes of lip blisters and prevent them from bothering you in the future.
Of course, there isn’t a serious medical cause behind every blister on the lip. Sometimes such blisters appear only as the body’s extreme reaction to stress and dehydration. In any case, treating lip sores and blisters at home can be done, with the help of a few remedies we will present below.
1. Antibiotic cream
If you are dealing with canker sores (which you can recognize by the presence of pus inside), you need to treat the area with antibiotic cream. Doctors also prescribe antibiotic creams for other types of blisters, like herpes-caused blisters, fever sores and so on.
Basically, any type of blister on the lip which has pus inside, or which is caused by a virus, will respond well to antibiotic cream. If you have some around the house, apply it to the blister on lip several times a day, after you clean and dry the area.
This will help bring down the inflammation and also make the blister on lip more responsive to other home remedies.
2. Aloe vera gel
This plant is well-known for its capacities of healing skin lesions and mild to moderate burns. You can also use aloe vera gel of at least 40% concentration to help heal a blister on lip faster and to reduce your discomfort while it lasts. The enzymes and soothing agents present in aloe vera will help bring down the inflammation and even have a temporary pain-numbing effect.
Dab a bit of aloe vera gel on the blister, after you clean and dry the area. Use a clean finger and produce gentle, circular motions. You can re-apply the gel several times a day to boost its effect and speed up the healing.
3. Peppermint oil
This essential oil has anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties which make it ideal for cleaning an infected area and helping it heal faster. The mint oils from peppermint also produce a soothing sensation, reducing the pain and burning feeling associated with a blister on lip.
Furthermore, peppermint oil is particularly effective against fever sores, since research suggests this oil has the ability to kill the virus types responsible for fever sore infections. This makes peppermint oil one of the best home remedies you can use if dealing with a fever sore. If your blister is another kind, the oil will still help heal it faster.
4. Ice packs
Cold has an anti-inflammatory effect on any infection, including a blister on lip. It can also help numb the pain greatly when applied directly. To use it, try placing an ice cube directly on the blister and keeping it there for at least 3-4 minutes. Take a break and repeat for another 2-3 times.
If you can’t stand the coldness of ice directly, you can also use cold compresses instead of an ice cube. A cold eye mask (the kind you keep in your fridge to place over swollen, baggy ideas) is a great tool to use for improvising a cold compress.
Or, alternatively, you can use a piece of cloth to wrap the ice cube in before placing it on the blister on lip. This should reduce the cold intensity and make it easier to tolerate.
5. Baking soda
Finally, another effective home remedy to treat a blister on lip is the mundane baking soda, present in almost any household. Baking soda is able to dry the blister faster, which helps contain the infection and speed up the healing. In addition to the drying properties, baking soda also helps the healing through its own antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties which clean the lesion.
To use baking soda for a blister on lip, mix a small quantity with a few drops of water, just enough to turn it into a paste. Spread it on the blister and let it work overnight. Wash it off in the morning and you can next apply one of the other home remedies from above.
When evening comes again, you can apply a new batch of baking soda paste, if needed.
These quick home remedies should help you tackle the problem fast and reduce the severity of lip blister symptoms.
However, remember that a blister on lip can have underlying causes that may be serious. So, if you are not sure of the type of blister you are experiencing, it’s best to schedule a doctor’s appointment.
Author Bio: Ethel Huizar is a Dental Hygienist and a Co-Founder at HealthRow. She has graduated from Master of Public Health, University of Colorado. While exploring health-related topics, writing and doing research, she aims to inform her readers about the number of ways to lead healthier lives.
