Friday, November 8, 2013

LIP BALM


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Lips need proper care as they are one of the most delicate parts of your body. The outermost layer of the lips is thinner than the skin on the rest of your body. This makes them very sensitive. Trauma, exposure to an allergen, or an irritant can cause lips to swell up.

The course of treatment depends upon the underlying condition. Since lip swelling could be a sign of a medical condition, it would be best to consult a doctor in order to identify the underlying cause. Drug therapy, dietary modification and other lifestyle-related changes will certainly help. Here are a few self-care measures that you could follow.Cold and Hot Compress: Take some ice cubes and wrap them in a towel. Pat this cold compress on the swollen lip. Otherwise, keep a spoon in the freezer for some time and gently press it on the lips.

You can also try hot packs. Hold a towel dipped in warm water for 10-15 minutes on the lips. Heat reduces the accumulation of blood in the swollen area and thus decreases the swelling. These remedies are useful if the swelling is due to an injury.Salt and Witch Hazel: A mixture of witch hazel extracts and salt in a 2:1 ratio is pretty effective in bringing any kind of topical swelling down. This mixture must stay on the lips for about 15-20 minutes, and should be washed off with cold water thereafter.Turmeric: Another useful remedy is to apply a mixture of turmeric powder, Fuller's earth, and water. Fuller's earth possesses cooling properties, which help reduce swelling.

You can also mix a few drops of organic honey to this mixture, to prevent turmeric and Fuller's earth from drying out your lipsTea Bag: Application of a tea bag to a swollen lip is another effective remedy. Immerse a tea bag in warm water for a few minutes. Remove the tea bag and allow it to cool down. Place it on the lips for a few minutes. This will help to reduce the swelling. Apply a medicated lip balm in order to prevent dryness.Aloe Vera and Tea Tree Oil: A mixture of clear aloe Vera gel and tea tree oil, in a 2:1 ratio, helps soothe dermal inflammation of any kind and, as such, is helpful in managing swelling of the lips too. Apply this paste on the swollen lips and let it dry. Thereafter, wash it off with cold water.

You may repeat this procedure a couple of times a day if the swelling does not subside.Potato: Potato can also help in reducing swelling. Grate a potato and squeeze out the juice. Apply this juice on the swelling. It will also relieve you from inflammation and will provide a cooling effect.Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is known for its amazing property of curing skin damage. It also prevents the skin from excess dryness, inflammation and swelling.

Apply a layer of coconut oil on your lips three to four times a day.Baking Soda: If the swelling is a result of insect sting then baking soda will be helpful in reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain. Just mix 3 tsp of baking soda in 1 tsp of water and apply the paste several times a day, till the swelling subsides.Salt Water: If the swelling is due to any lip injury, then applying warm salt solution may help in reducing the swelling. Just mix 1 tbsp in a cup of water and apply the solution several times a day with the help of a cotton ball. It might cause burning sensation but will heal the wound faster.