In what cases is a broken lip sutured, how much it heals, how to smear
The skin of the lips is too thin, the capillaries are located close to the surface, therefore, if the lip is damaged, there is profuse bleeding. Here it is important to stop the blood and provide first aid correctly, and only then decide whether to sew up a broken lip.
In what cases is the lip sutured? This is decided by the doctor after examining the wound.
If the wound on the lip is deep, with diverging edges, you should definitely contact the nearest department of the trauma hospital. It is especially worth worrying if the bleeding is severe.
When examining the wound, the doctor will determine whether surgery is required and how to sew the lip. Usually, doctors make this decision if the length of the cut is more than 2 cm, and the edges of the wound are more than 7 mm apart from each other.
Before going to the doctor, it is important to competently provide first aid.
- Rinse the wound by wiping it with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. It is better to open your mouth for more effective rinsing.
- Wipe your lip with a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate. Peroxide also helps to stop bleeding.
You can treat the wound with chlorhexidine solution. It is impossible to use brilliant green or iodine, as they can lead to burns. After the bleeding has stopped, it is better to apply ice to the lip – it helps to eliminate pain and swelling.
In order for the wound to heal well, you should treat the lip with special ointments. They can be purchased at a pharmacy or made at home. The sewn lip must be lubricated:
- a mixture of honey and propolis, taken in equal quantities;
- zinc ointment;
- sea buckthorn oil;
- propolis ointment.
One of these products is used to treat the lip several times a day. It is important to try not to lick the ointment. To prevent inflammation and the formation of pus, you need to rinse your mouth with a decoction of chamomile – this is especially necessary if the wound is on the inside of the lip.
How long does a sewn lip heal? This process is purely individual and depends on the patient’s age, blood supply in the damaged area, the presence of chronic diseases, immune status, etc. Usually, the wound heals within 8-9 days. Then the stitches are removed if they were applied with non-absorbable sutures.
The doctor decides to sew up a split lip or not after examination. The main thing is to correctly provide first aid and not delay the visit to the hospital in order to avoid infection of the wound and the spread of infection.