How to Treat a Lip Burn

by Alexandra Tunell



Conde Nast Archive
Conde Nast Archive

Think you had a rough Monday morning? Let me tell you how my week got started: scalding hot tea, a thermos with a faulty lid, and a train conductor with a penchant for slamming on the breaks. You can probably guess what happened next. By the time my commute was over, an unfortunate-looking blister had formed underneath my bottom lip, and the swelling made me look like a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills. I walked into the office embarrassed, with an ice pack on my mouth, and called dermatologist David Bank. Should you ever find yourself with an unfortunate (and very painful) lip burn, here are his tips for easing the ouch:

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1. Keep your head elevated higher than your heart, so the fluid and blood flow doesn't all rush forward. (This may sound obvious, but believe me, if it weren't for work today, I'd be flat on my bed right now.)

2. Apply a cold compress for ten minutes at a time. Ice in a plastic bag works. Bank also recommends soaking a clean towel in ice-cold milk and lightly pressing it to your lips to reduce swelling.

3. Take aspirin. The anti-inflammatory properties will also help reduce the swelling.

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4. Apply an ointment like Neosporin or Bacitracin twice a day.

5. Hands off. "Let it rupture when it's ready. Popping a blister too soon can create an open wound that's vulnerable to bacteria in the air," says Bank.

The only upside to this whole debacle is that I'm wearing a black top. I don't think I could deal with a lip blister and a tea-stained outfit today.

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