You can get cold sores from lip biting. Although trauma varies in terms of severity, any cracking or puncture of the lips can be problematic.
A bitten lip won’t always cause a cold sore outbreak, but keeping your lips free of cracks should be your objective. Moist lips that have no abrasions are less likely to trigger the formation of fever blisters.[1]
It is crucial that you avoid creating an issue. Introducing a lip piercing, for example, is a form of lip trauma. If you carry HSV-1, puncturing your lip in this way can activate the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1).
In this guide, you will learn more about lip trauma and how to heal various types of lip and mouth sores. We will also explain the importance of keeping your lips moist and free of cuts and abrasions.
Before you can correctly treat your lip ailment, you need to identify it accurately. It is essential for medical reasons and peace of mind. Attempting to deal with an unknown lip blister just introduces additional problems.
The best way to heal a swollen lip that is not caused by a virus or infection is with traditional care. This includes a cold compress and anti-inflammatory medication. Something as generic as ice and Ibuprofen should be enough to get the job done in a timely fashion.
Another way to quell lip swelling is to take a hands-off approach. Unless the contact involves active treatment, you are advised to leave your lip alone. Attempting to press the area and inspect things further can only lead to irritation.
To summarize:
Healing a swollen lip caused by lip biting can be tricky.
The first thing that must be considered is a potential puncture wound. Did the lip puncture, produce bleeding, and then swell? Or, did the bite irritate the skin? If a puncture has taken place that area of skin should be your primary concern. If the skin is torn in a severe way stitches might be required. This is especially true if the bite took place during hard physical contact, such as athletic play.
If the bite has resulted in basic swelling, the area can be healed with a cold compress. Reducing the swelling will gradually alleviate the pain. You can also introduce anti-inflammatory medication to help with the process.
Although lip biting can produce an infection, this is not likely. However, it is something to keep your eye on during the early stages because it might cause viral penetration.[2] If a deep puncture wound is present is it critical to clean the area as soon as possible.
To recap:
When it comes to treating and healing a swollen cold sore, it is vital to stick to the basics. Introducing alternative and exotic methods to reduce your symptoms can only exacerbate the issue. An FDA-approved topical cream can be applied to your blister.
Because cold sores go through a series of stages, you must respect the swelling. What that means is the simple fact of letting the situation take its course. While applying treatment will undoubtedly speed up the process, attempting to sabotage the process can be dangerous. Popping your sore can extend healing time and introduce infection.
To summarize:
While canker sores will typically heal on their own within a matter of days, the pain and swelling can be brutal. Often occupying room inside your cheek and interfering with your natural bite, canker sores can compromise both chewing and talking.
Concerning healing, one of the best things you can do is to keep your mouth clean. Using mouthwash 2-3 times per day can serve to cleanse and disinfect the problem area. Additionally, Durham’s canker rid can be helpful.
If your teeth are rubbing against the sore, then it is important to limit those actions if possible. Even something as simple as switching sides when you chew can help. In terms of general rules, no gum chewing, no problematic foods, drinks, or candy is wise.
Drinking plenty of water can also help to heal canker sores faster. Similar to mouthwash, water can remove any coating left behind by food and soda.
The simple act of refraining from contact can also be beneficial. The less disturbance, the better.
To recap:
The potential exists if the trauma is severe. While casual biting is not likely to trigger a sore, a deep puncture wound or cut could introduce a problem.
Although teeth clamping against your lips could be an issue, there are other influences to consider. Some of which include dental work and trauma caused by physical activity.
In the case of dental work, just the simple act of your mouth being held open for very long time can cause your lips to crack. That alone, based on what is known about HSV-1 entry mechanisms[3], could act as a cold sore trigger.
Additionally, the introduction of braces, for example, can potentially cut your lips thus causing a problem. Dental work, generally speaking, is no friend to your lips. At least not in the short term.
In respect to lip trauma through means of physical contact, this also opens up various doors. Suffering a large cut on your lip during athletics or sports can serve as a trigger, especially if the cut is large enough to require stitches.
To summarize:
Cold sore prevention requires that you take care of your lips. Keep them clean. Make sure that they are kept moist. Keep them free of cracks. These foundational basics are why any type of lip manipulation can be problematic.
While nothing is foolproof, you should always make it a conscious effort to protect your lips. This will likely reduce cold sore outbreaks and shield others from coming in contact with a contagious carrier.
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