Lip injuries are a common occurrence, often resulting from falls, sports, or accidental impacts. Lip injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more significant lacerations affecting the lip’s structure. Due to the rich blood supply in the mouth and lip area, even small cuts can bleed considerably. Understanding how to manage these injuries is important for proper healing.
Immediate Care for Lip Injuries
Immediate care begins with managing bleeding. Apply gentle, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth or sterile gauze for several minutes. This pressure constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow. For external cuts, clean with soap and water after bleeding subsides, avoiding scrubbing. For internal cuts, rinsing with cool water helps remove debris.
Applying an ice pack or sucking on an ice cube can also reduce swelling and bleeding. While minor lip injuries can often be managed at home, professional medical attention is important in specific situations. Medical care is advisable if bleeding does not stop after 5 to 10 minutes of continuous pressure, or if the cut is deep, longer than half an inch, or has ragged edges. A doctor should also evaluate the injury if it goes through the lip, involves the border where the lip meets the facial skin, or if there is debris embedded in the wound.
When Stitches Are Necessary
Several factors determine if a lip injury requires stitches. Depth and length are key criteria; deeper or longer lacerations often need closure. Cuts extending through the lip’s full thickness or with separated edges require stitching for proper healing and reduced scarring. Location also plays a role, especially if it involves the vermilion border—the distinct line where the pink part of the lip meets surrounding skin.
Accurate vermilion border alignment is important for cosmetic appearance, as even small discrepancies are noticeable. Lacerations crossing this border are often stitched to ensure precise alignment. Gapping, where wound edges do not naturally stay together, is another indication for stitches, as proper approximation aids healing without excessive tension. While internal mouth cuts sometimes heal without stitches due to the mouth’s healing properties, deeper lacerations may still require them.
The Stitching Procedure and Recovery
Lip injury stitching typically begins with local anesthesia to numb the area, ensuring comfort. Anesthesia can be achieved via direct infiltration around the wound or, for better cosmetic outcomes and less tissue distortion, through nerve blocks (e.g., mental nerve block for the lower lip or infraorbital nerve block for the upper lip). After numbing, the wound is thoroughly cleansed to remove any foreign material and reduce the risk of infection.
Stitches are placed in layers, particularly for deeper cuts. Absorbable sutures, dissolving over time and not requiring removal, are often used for deeper layers or inside the mouth. For external skin and the vermilion border, non-absorbable sutures (e.g., nylon) are frequently used for precise alignment and better cosmetic results. These external stitches are generally removed after 5 to 7 days to minimize potential scarring.
During recovery, keep the stitched area clean and dry. Your doctor might recommend gently washing around the cut with clean water after 24 to 48 hours.
Eating soft, easy-to-chew foods prevents lip strain; avoiding salty, spicy, or acidic foods prevents irritation. Rinsing with warm salt water after meals promotes healing for internal stitches.
Swelling and bruising are common, usually subsiding within 10 to 14 days. Protecting the healing wound from sun exposure and avoiding activities that could reopen the cut are important recovery steps.