From the Guidelines
To treat burned lips, covering the area with a nonadherent bandage or clean cloth is crucial to protect the wound and reduce pain, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. This approach is essential in the initial stages of treatment to avoid heat entrapment and prevent further irritation.
- Gently cleaning the area with mild soap and water can also help prevent infection.
- Applying an antibiotic ointment like Bacitracin or Polysporin can be beneficial in preventing infection, followed by a moisturizing agent to keep the area hydrated.
- It is also important to note that lubricating lips with sterile vaseline or lip balm can provide temporary relief, but chronic use of vaseline should be avoided as it can promote mucosal cell dehydration and increase the risk of secondary infection 1.
- Staying hydrated and avoiding spicy, salty, or acidic foods can also help in the healing process.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to manage pain, but it is essential to follow the recommended dosage and consult a healthcare professional if the pain persists.
- If the burn is severe or shows signs of infection, seeking medical attention immediately is crucial to prevent further complications.
From the FDA Drug Label
Uses first aid to help prevent infection and for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor: cuts scrapes burns The answer to burn lips treatment is that bacitracin (TOP) can be used for the temporary relief of pain or discomfort in minor burns, which includes burn lips. 2
From the Research
Burn Lips Treatment
- The treatment of burn lips depends on the depth of the burn, with the goal of optimizing re-epithelialization for superficial burns and minimizing microbial growth for deep burns 3.
- Topical antimicrobial agents, such as silver sulfadiazine, are commonly used to prevent infection and promote wound healing in burn patients, including those with facial burns 4, 5.
- The choice of topical antimicrobial agent may depend on the clinical scenario, burn-wound depth, and burn severity, with silver-containing dressings being recommended for most scenarios 5.
- For facial burns, topical antimicrobial agents such as silver sulphadiazine and Aquacel-Ag may be used, although the evidence for their effectiveness is largely low to very low-certainty 6.
- Other topical treatments, such as Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) and skin substitutes, may also be used for facial burns, although the evidence for their effectiveness is limited 6.
- The development of effective topical antimicrobial agents for wound care has been a major advance in the care of burn patients, although many gaps in our ability to treat complicated burn wounds remain 7.