Help!

[llmart]

Anyone know what to do for a really fat lip I have from a fall yesterday? It actually looks worse than it feels. One-half of my bottom lip is swollen to three times its normal size and the inside of my lip is a horrible shade of purple/red. Ugh.

I've been icing it for 15 minutes every one to two hours. Any other suggestions?

I felt like such a klutz when it happened.

[dhol82]

1. Unless you're going out on a modeling shoot just leave it alone

Fat lips go down in their own good time.
Unless you have an infection stop putzing with it.
And make up a really cool story you can tell your friends.

[llmart]

3. Thanks!

There was only a slight cut on the outside that hardly even bled, so I'm not too worried about infection.

I think I'll dream up a good story as you suggested.

[Laffy Kat]

2. Ouch!

Sounds like you're doing the right thing. Maybe don't put the ice directly on the lip but wrapped it up with a washcloth first if you're not already doing that. If it starts to look infected, has pus, or gets red streaking lines, go to ER.

[llmart]

4. Thank you.

I do wrap two ice cubes in a soft dishcloth. What do red streaking lines indicate? Never heard of it.

[Laffy Kat]

6. Fast-spreading infection, but I doubt that will happen.

I just wanted to mention it. My mind always goes to the worst-case scenario because that's how I'm wired.

[Bayard]

5. Plenty of models

Would pay good money for that swollen sexy lip look!

Ice is about the only thing you can do.

[llmart]

7. Yeah, I was just thinking about telling people I'm a Kardashian.

Doubt anyone would believe that though.

[Totally Tunsie]

8. Just practice saying...

"You should see the other guy!"

[csziggy]

9. Cold packs better than ice cubes

Quick & easy - frozen corn or peas in small bags. Wrap in a towel and hold to the area. Black eyed peas work really well - they don't go soft when they thaw out and keep the cold a long time. If they thaw and are refrozen a number of times, they will start to smell a little funky, but they still work as acold pack. MARK your cold pack vegetables so you don't cook with them.

My favorite, especially for areas that need to be wrapped in cold packs: put 1 part rubbing alcohol and 3 parts water (1 cup alcohol to 3 cups water works well in a gallon sized zip lock bag, 1/4 cup to 3/4 cup for quart sized). I tint mine with a drop of food coloring so it is easily recognizable as "not food." Pour into one bag, then put that bag inside another with the closure opposite.

Freeze flat - wrap in towel and wrap around the area that needs to be iced. These packs stay malleable so you can form them around the affected area.

This last kind was perfect after my carpal tunnel surgeries - I could wrap one around my wrist and ease the pain without having to use any pain meds at all. I also used the gallon size ones after my recent back surgery - they not only chilled the incision, they also cushioned it. I used no pain meds after I got out of the hospital!

[llmart]

10. That is wonderful information for the future.

Probably wouldn't work well for my situation since it's one-half of my lower lip which in essence is only about 1" long. With a small ice cube wrapped in a cloth I was able to place it sometimes inside the lip, on top of the lip and then on the outside. It seems to be helping a bit. I didn't have anything in my freezer except for some medium sized cold packs and they were too big to use. I sure didn't want to run up to my corner store and buy anything else since I look a fright.

I never had anything like this happen to me. I freaked out a bit which I rarely do.

Thank you again for the great info.

[csziggy]

11. Yeah, for a little injury it's not really worth it

But I've had more than my share of injuries and surgeries and loads of experience with pain management through icing.

My first non-standard ice pack was when I got kicked in the thigh at a horse show. A good solid THUNK that everyone at the arena heard. They got ice from the concession stand and wrapped it in a towel but on the way home when it had melted (all over the inside of the truck) we stopped at a Dollar Store and bought a bag of frozen corn. Not only did it last longer, but it didn't drip!

I was given a wonderful sort of fluffy cold pack after a shoulder surgery but after ten years it finally got too solid to use much. Then I read the recipe for the alcohol ice packs and they are great. They last until the zip lock bags start leaking.

Good luck, but your lip should heal just fine with no lasting effects.

[ProudLib72]

12. Sorry. Without a picture, I am unable to help you.

Just be glad you didn't bite your tongue. I did that when I was young. Almost went clean through! I was on a strict diet of Chloraseptic spray for a week.

[lillypaddle]

13. Eat popsicles

I love popsicles.

[llmart]

14. Great suggestion...

except for I don't have any on hand and I'm too chicken to go outside of the house to get any. I did have some mini drumsticks on hand, so I ate a couple of those over the past two days. The swelling has gone down a bit, but it still looks pretty awful. As soon as I'm able to cover up the bruised portion with makeup, I'll go out to get some.