A bruised lip usually appears as a blue, purple or navy discoloration and can be caused by anything from a simple blow to internal problems. Because the lips have thin tissue and superficial veins, they get bruised very quickly, and this is a concern of many people. By knowing the causes, it is possible to decide whether this bruise is normal or needs a medical examination. In this article from your doctor, we are going to examine the lip bruise completely. Stay with us.

What is the cause of bruised lips?

Lip bruises can be caused by various reasons such as trauma, cosmetic injections, skin sensitivity, blood circulation problems, lack of oxygen or even lifestyle such as smoking. The mechanism of lip bruising can vary depending on the cause and may include subcutaneous bleeding, local inflammation, or lack of oxygen in the blood (cyanosis). In the following, we will explain each of these causes separately so that you can more easily identify where the problem started.

• hit and physical damage
• Lip bruising after injection (gel, filler, Botox)
• Lips bruise after tattoo
• Sensitivity and allergic reactions
Blackening of lips due to smoking

English text:
The purple spot on your lip could be the result of an impact, or perhaps you bit your lip, causing it to bruise. If you have a bruise on your lip, your purple spot should go away in a matter of days. If it doesn't, the condition could be something else. Contact your healthcare professional for an appointment.
Persian translation:
The purple spot on your lip may be due to a blow or maybe you bit your lip while eating and it is bruised. Usually, such bruising will disappear within a few days, but if it persists, it may have another cause. In this case, it is better to consult your doctor to check.

quoted from colgate

1. Impact and physical damage

A direct blow is one of the most common causes of dead blood and a bruised lip. This impact can be from a simple fall or hitting the edge of a glass to an injury while eating or even accidentally biting the lip by ourselves. Lips get bruised much faster than other parts of the body due to the thinness of the tissue and the presence of superficial veins.

In this condition, pain, swelling and darkness are usually seen at the same time. Most bruises from trauma will heal on their own within 3 to 7 days. Using a cold compress in the first few hours and then a warm compress after 24 hours will help improve blood circulation. A point to be taken seriously is that if the bruise is accompanied by continuous bleeding, numbness, or difficulty speaking, it is better to see a doctor to rule out a broken tooth, infection, or more serious injury.

2. Lip bruising after injection (gel, filler, Botox)

Lip bruising after filler or gel injection is very common and may occur. Because the needle or cannula hits the tiny vessels and small internal bleeding occurs. This bruise usually becomes much more obvious from the second to the fifth day and then gradually improves. Among the cases of care after lip gel injection, cold compress immediately after injection, avoiding heavy exercise, keeping the head higher while sleeping and not taking things like aspirin or ibuprofen can reduce the severity of bruising.

Sometimes doctors use anesthetic creams and special anti-inflammatory drugs before injection to reduce the risk of bruising. If the bruise is accompanied by sores, severe pain, changes in the shape of the lips, or abnormal whiteness of the skin, this is no longer a normal bruise and may be a sign of a vascular blockage that should be evaluated by a doctor immediately.

3. Lip bruise after tattoo

Tattoos or lip scratches can also cause temporary bruising and darkening. Because the needles of the device hit the lip tissue, and this issue is especially seen in people with thinner skin. This bruising is usually not permanent and resolves within one to two weeks.

In the first days, you should avoid very hot foods, hot drinks, and laughing or stretching your lips a lot. Because too much movement or heat can increase the inflammation. Scaling after tattooing is also normal and the scales should not be removed. If the bruise is accompanied by an unpleasant smell, purulent discharge or sharp and continuous pain, there is a possibility of infection and you should see a tattoo artist or a doctor immediately.

4. Sensitivity and allergic reactions

Allergy to lipstick, cosmetics, toothpaste or even certain foods can cause bruising and darkening of the lip tissue. This skin allergy reaction is usually accompanied by itching, burning and sometimes peeling. In this case, the blood vessels become inflamed and bruising occurs. It is not difficult to recognize this issue; It is enough to stay away from all cosmetics and lip care products for one to three days and see if there is improvement or not.

If the conditions improve after removing the allergen, it means that the culprit has been identified. Sometimes it is necessary to perform a patch test or a specialized test to identify the allergen. If the allergy is severe, for example, the swelling of the lips is accompanied by shortness of breath or swelling of the face, you should go to the emergency room immediately. This condition can be a sign of allergic shock and should not be underestimated.

5. Lip darkening due to smoking

Cigarette causes dark and bruised lips for various reasons. Nicotine reduces the blood flow in the lips and over time, the veins shrink, and this reduction in oxygen delivery shows itself in the form of bruises. On the other hand, the heat of tobacco smoke creates a chronic inflammation that gradually darkens the lip color.

It is interesting to know that the effect of smoking is not only momentary; Even if a person quits smoking, it may take months for the color of the lips to return to their previous state. In some people, this color change becomes completely permanent. It is effective to hydrate the lips, use balms containing vitamin E and avoid second-hand smoke to help recovery.

Type of lip bruise	Cause
Strike and physical injury	Collision, biting the lip, falling or direct impact
After injection (filler/botox)	Small internal bleeding from needle contact or Cannula
After tattoo or lip scraping	The needles of the device hit the lip tissue
Sensitivity and allergy	Reaction to lipstick, toothpaste or food
Smoking	Decreased blood flow and oxygen supply to the lips
In Infants	oxygen deficiency, strong pacifier sucking or small impact
in children	falling, active play or vitamin/iron deficiency
in pregnancy	hormonal changes and different blood circulation

The cause of baby's lip bruise

Lips bruising in babies should always be followed carefully. Because, unlike adults, the baby's body is not yet able to fully control oxygen delivery, and this bruise may be a sign of lack of oxygen. If the baby's lips are blue or purple and at the same time he has rapid breathing, restlessness or lethargy, he should be checked by a doctor immediately. Of course, it is not always dangerous.

Sometimes strong pacifier sucking or a small blow during feeding can cause short-term bruising. This bruising usually resolves without worry and within a few days. Parents should be aware of the breathing pattern, skin color and behavior of the baby. If a bruised lip is accompanied by weak crying, cold hands and feet, or shortness of breath, it is likely that there is a heart or respiratory problem and an examination is necessary.

Lips bruise in children

In active children, lip bruises are more likely to be caused by falls, vigorous play, or impact during exercise. In such cases, a cold compress and keeping the area calm is usually sufficient. But if the bruise is very thick or the child complains of severe pain, it should be checked. Some nutritional deficiencies may be associated with easy bruising, but diagnosis requires a medical examination.

If the body cannot protect the veins or the blood supply is not suitable, the lips darken faster. A simple blood test can help make the diagnosis. If the bruise repeats frequently without a clear reason or is seen on the skin of other parts of the body, it is necessary to consult a doctor to check the possibility of blood problems.

lip bruising during pregnancy

During pregnancy, the body undergoes different hormonal changes and blood circulation. These changes can cause tissue sensitivity and a slight decrease in oxygenation, and as a result, some women notice bruised lips. It is not always a sign of illness, but it needs attention.

If a bruised lip is accompanied by dizziness, severe weakness, heart palpitations or difficulty breathing, it may be a sign of anemia or a heart problem. These types of pregnancy complications must be checked by a doctor. Often an iron supplement or a change in diet will solve the problem. Lip bruises during pregnancy are not always dangerous, but since the health of the fetus is also involved, it is better not to take any unusual symptoms seriously.

Quick treatment for bruised lips

Quick treatment for a bruised lip varies depending on the cause, but usually a combination of a cold compress in the first few hours, a warm compress after a day, resting the lip and avoiding irritation or pressure can speed up the healing process. In some cases, the use of suitable ointments or medicines recommended by the doctor is also helpful. In the following, we will explain the home and medicinal methods separately so that you can see which approach is more suitable for your condition.

English text:
Bruises, blisters, or swelling on the lips caused by injury may be treated by sucking on ice pops or ice cubes. They can also be treated by applying a cold pack to the area every 1 to 2 hours for 10 to 15 minutes for the first 24 hours.
Persian translation:
A bruise, blister or swelling of the lip caused by an impact can be reduced by sucking ice or placing ice cubes. Also, in the first 24 hours, you can use a cold compress on the lips every 1 to 2 hours, for 10 to 15 minutes.

1. home remedy for bruised lips

In the first 24 hours, the best action is a cold compress. Put the ice in the cloth and put it on the lips for 10 minutes each time. This prevents further internal bleeding. After the first day, a warm compress can increase blood circulation and speed up the healing process.

Gentle massage with argan oil, sweet almond or vitamin E also helps. But it should be very calm. It is useful to drink enough water, avoid very salty and spicy foods and rest the lips. If the bruise is caused by an allergy, removing the allergen is the most important step. Treatment without removing the cause is only superficial and will return again.

2. Effective drugs and ointments for bruised lips

Ointments containing arnica, heparin, or vitamin K are commonly used to reduce bruising, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and conflicting. These products can be obtained without a prescription at the pharmacy, but if you are pregnant or have a special disease, it is better to consult a doctor.

In cases of severe inflammation caused by injections or tattoos, the doctor may prescribe mild anti-inflammatory creams. It is important not to overuse strong corticosteroids as they can worsen the condition. If the bruise is caused by blood problems or anemia, the treatment should be corrected from within the body, and ointments only have a supportive role.

Conclusion

A bruised lip is not always something to be afraid of, but it should not be completely ignored. If the cause is obvious, such as trauma, injections, or allergies, it usually gets better with a few days of care and is nothing to worry about. However, if it occurs for no apparent reason, is repeated, or is accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, severe pain, or widespread discoloration, it is best to see a doctor. Lips are one of the most sensitive parts of the body and they react very quickly to our internal state. This is why bruised lips are sometimes a warning sign that the body wants to remind us of something. Knowing the causes and choosing the right treatment method can both reduce anxiety and speed up the healing process. Finally, the best thing to do is to listen carefully to the body and take any changes seriously, but don't panic.

Your doctor takes care of your health!