Black spots on lips can be extremely embarrassing. These spots can lower your self-esteem. They are rare, but in case they show up, it’s usually just for a short time. Some spots could, however, take long or fail to completely go away, which can indicate the presence of a serious underlying condition or skin damage. Common causes in babies and adults would include:
Here is more on the causes, pictures, symptoms, treatment, and how to get rid of the spots at home.
Black spots on lips are a condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. The following are some common causes you should have in mind in case you have this condition;
Black spots on lips could be a sign of mouth cancer, although it’s a very rare case. Lip cancers are the growth of abnormal cells on the lips that form lesions or tumors on the lips. This condition is characterized by thin, flat cells called squamous cells, which line the lips, mouth, tongue, hard and soft palates. It normally affects the lower lip, and you will likely notice lumps too. This condition is caused by certain lifestyle choices such as excessive smoking and drinking, sun exposure, and tanning.
Some other common signs and symptoms of this condition include;
If you suffer any of the above symptoms, you should have a doctor check you, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have oral cancer. A biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. This procedure is conducted by taking a small sample of the abnormal area, which is taken and reviewed in a pathology laboratory under a microscope. Some of the common treatments for this condition include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
You may develop black spots on your lips from sexually transmitted infections like syphilis, HIV, and genital herpes.
Syphilis- This is a sexually transmitted infection that exists in several stages and may cause serious health problems. It can cause small painless sores on the lips, in the mouth, and the vagina, penis, or anus. This infection can be treated by taking a course of antibiotic tablets or injection of antibiotics.
Genital herpes- herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 is the virus responsible for cold sores on your lips. This condition is a highly contagious infection that is spread through sexual activities like kissing, body contact with the sores, and oral or anal sex.
Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is responsible for staining not only your mouth but also your teeth. It is responsible for the black spots at the level of lips. If you smoke, don’t do it too excessively.
Lack of sufficient vitamin B in your body can cause black spots on your lips and tongue. This vitamin plays a major role in boosting energy levels and the production of red blood cells. The deficiency of this vitamin leads to various conditions and complications. These vitamins are available in the foods we eat, and therefore you can take them or supplements to help fix the problem. The levels in the body can, however, be destroyed through the consumption of excessive alcohol.
Dehydration is the lack of sufficient water in your body. This condition causes dryness of skin, which includes lips and cheeks. This condition is very common and may result in dark spots around the lips. You can hydrate your body by ensuring that you take plenty of water, which should be at least 3 liters per day. You can also eat a lot of vegetables and fruits that help boost water levels in your body. They will make your cheeks and lips stay moisturized.
You may obtain black spots on your lips from applying a lip product whose expiry date is already due. Such products not only pose the risk of dark spots on lips but also other potential health issues. You should, therefore, refrain from using such products.
Hormonal disorders can bring many-body complications, which can affect both the skin and the general health of your body. This condition can result to dry lips, which are a common symptom of thyroid inconsistency. Thyroid inconsistency is a condition caused by thyroid hormones that affect sexual function, mood, and food metabolism. This could happen when the thyroid generates a vast amount of hormones, and the body uses its energy faster than it normally does.
Lips may dry as a result of several underlying health conditions except for just dehydration. This condition leads to breaking or bleeding of the skin; when this stops, the blood clots and appears as black spots on the lips.
Overexposure to sun rays creates melanin pigments on the skin that could appear black after a certain time. You should, therefore, ensure that you protect your lips from too much sunburn. You can also avoid exposing yourself to the sun, especially when it’s too hot. Besides, consider using sunscreen products for lips.
Babies may develop black spots, especially on their upper lip. This could be caused by the pressure effort during breastfeeding. This condition is quite normal, and the spots usually fade quite rapidly. Sometimes babies may develop birthmarks that appear on the lips at about four weeks of age.
black spots on baby lips
Melisma is a condition that causes hyperpigmentation in babies. This condition causes black or brown patches on the skin. These patches usually appear on the cheeks, nose, and upper lip. It is caused by an increased amount of melanin. Though the exact cause of the increase is unknown, it is believed to be associated with hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, or genetic predisposition.
Are you wondering how black spots on your lips look like? These spots appear inside and around the mouth. They have various appearances, depending on the underlying cause. This article provides you several pictures that will help you understand the differences between different causes of black spots.
black spots on lips
What could be the reason for black spots inside of lips? This condition can be caused by various reasons including trauma, cigarette smoking, hormonal imbalances, excessive iron, irritation from foods or drinks, or deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals.
The black spots may also be as a result of blood blisters after lip piercing. Such blisters can develop inside the lip near the piercing site after lip piercing. They piercing turns black as a result of an infection caused by the numerous bacteria or the other pathogenic microorganisms that are available in the mouth. You may also suffer such infections as a result of poor oral hygiene after lip piercing. Such piercing is characterized by symptoms such as swelling, redness, irritation, inflammation, and the presence of yellow or green discharge from the affected area. To avoid such symptoms, you must follow the aftercare instructions provided to prevent infections.
Black spots inside your lips can be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol or smoking. For instance, tobacco contains harmful chemicals that increase your chances of getting oral cancer. It also leads to dark blood blisters on the lower lip when exposed to the mucous membrane of the lower lip. Using smokeless tobacco also increases the chances of developing lip cancer.
Excessive drinking causes dehydration, which in turn causes dry lips. Dryness of lips is one of the causes of dark spots on lips. It is important to visit a doctor for diagnosis if you experience such symptoms. The treatment required will require you to undergo surgery to remove the affected tissues, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.
This condition causes dark blood blisters on the mucous membrane of the lips and other oral cavities. Though there is no exact known cause for this condition, it is believed to be caused by mouth injuries or trauma that could result from biting, irritation, scalding, among other conditions.
This is a benign dark spot found on inside lips or mouth. An oral melanotic macule found on the lip is commonly known as a labial melanotic macule. The most common location for this condition includes;
This condition can affect people of any age or any sex. It is, however, common in middle-aged people, in dark-skinned people, and females. This condition will need a proper diagnosis to be confirmed. Usually, the doctor will observe the lesion by measuring it, taking a photograph, or doing both.
Common benign lesions outside of the lips include rashes caused by conditions such as; warts, contact dermatitis, lichen planus, Fordyce spots, chapped lips, herpes simplex virus, hyperpigmentation, and milia.
Hyperpigmentation- pigmentation is the coloring of a person’s skin, and it is the normal coloring of the skin. In case you suffer from an injury, your skin may change color and become darker. This is called hyperpigmentation, and it can affect anyone, from children to adults. This disorder is largely not harmful, but it is important to know the risks it poses and where it comes from.
The excess production of melanin causes this condition. It, however, stimulated chemically by effects of medication, sun rays, and increasing melanin, which leads to darker skin. The following is how each of the factors may affect your pigmentation;
The dark patches from this condition are neither painful nor itchy. It can be treated, but the best treatment can be difficult.
Can you remove black spots on lips quickly? It is possible. The following procedures can help remove black spots on lips fast and completely.
Laser treatments are considered the most lasting and more effective ways to treat discolorations close to the surface of the skin. The effect of this treatment will depend on your genetics, your UV exposure, and your skincare habits. For instance, it can cause some risks such as scarring.
This is required when the black spots turn out to be cancerous. The doctor will recommend excision of the neoplastic growth, followed by the chemotherapy or radiotherapy procedure. This ensures that no more cancerous cells remain in the affected area.
Black spots on lips occur as a result of a variety of reasons. This condition can be very annoying, and that’s why many people will need to get rid of it as quickly as possible. The following are the common home remedies you should consider for eradicating such spots.
Lemon juice has great bleaching properties. It’s bleaching qualities help remove black spots from the lips. The following is how you go about it;
Mustard oil is known for its rich source of omega alpha3 and omega alpha6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants. This oil also helps in improving circulation around the lips and thus lightens them altogether.
How to use mustard oil to remove dark patches on the lips;
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The habit of taking a healthy diet is vital for maintaining good health and also for taking care of the skin. The following are common tips on a healthy diet you should have in mind;
Turmeric contains some bleaching properties that play a major role in eradicating black spots on lips. The following is the procedure of applying this remedy;
Oatmeal is a great remedy for exfoliating skin with black spots, and that is why it is a highly preferred remedy for applying in this condition.
To clear the dark pigmentation on your lips, you can apply a simple sugar scrub. The following is how to do it;
raw honey
Vitamin C helps in the production of collagen, a compound that helps your body grow newer tissues. You should eat foods rich in vitamin C or supplements, especially if you are a smoker.
If your lips are dark, vitamin C is an effective remedy for acquiring a bright color. You should ensure that you include this vitamin in every meal if you want to rapidly remove black spots on your lips.
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Beetroot can be used to get rid of black spots on the lips. This is because it contains bleaching properties, just like lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. You can use this product in 2 ways;
Massage your lips with beetroot juice gently for 3 minutes or rub your lips with a slice of beetroot. This is done in the morning or at night. Apply this remedy daily for two months, and you will be free of dark lips.
In case your black spots don’t fade away from home remedies, there are some other techniques you can employ to completely eradicate them. The following are some of the procedures you should consider;
Over-the-counter brightening cream for lips can be used to moisturize and brighten the black spots on your lips. You should choose a cream that contains vitamin c, kojic acid, licorice extract, or grape seed extract; these ingredients help to block the enzyme tyrosinase, which is essential for the production of melanin. This cream is spread around your mouth while following the instructions given to you by your physician.
Hydroquinone in some creams also helps in limiting pigment-making cells that slow your skin’s production of tyrosinase. The black spots tend to vanish quickly with lower pigment production.
Lip balms help moisturize your lips and also keep them soft. It also helps remove black spots faster. This product can be used, especially on a sunny day. This should be applied every two hours and helps fix the problem quickly.
You should ensure there is necessary moisture for the lips- this is important especially in the winter season when the weather is extremely dry.