When you examined your lips, have you ever been certain that something was there that wasn't there the day before? A dark spot on your lip might make you feel self-conscious about your appearance and can even be embarrassing.
The following list includes thirteen potential causes for black spots on the lips.
Numerous circumstances might cause a person's lips to develop black or dark patches. Many of the contributing variables to this ailment are manageable at home with simple medicine.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that is relatively prevalent and provides no health hazards. This disorder, which is identified by the darkening of skin areas, is also known as melasma. The colorization could appear everywhere and could be either brown or gray.
Hormone changes are frequently the cause of melasma, and pregnant women are especially prone to getting the disorder.
It's crucial to keep them out of the light until the spots go away, however this may take some time. Topical medicines are often suggested as the next course of treatment if the problem persists.
Vitamin Shortage
Skin discoloration and uneven skin tone are both signs of a vitamin deficit. A doctor can identify deficiencies, most frequently through blood tests. Treatment plans frequently include vitamin-rich diets or a variety of vitamin supplements.
For really severe illnesses, the doctor may prescribe vitamin injections.
An Excess of Iron
A condition known as hemochromatosis is brought on by an excess of iron in the body. Iron builds up in the organs and joints in this syndrome. Hemochromatosis patients may notice a darkening of their skin in a number of places, including on their lips.
Schedule a consultation with your primary care doctor to go over your treatment options, which may involve regular blood donations or prescription medication.
Dehydration
A lack of water intake can cause the body to react in a number of harmful ways. It might, however, result in dryness and irritation of the skin on the face. On the lips, rough skin forms and layers of skin start to fall off. It's possible that you'll get scars, scabs, and other color alterations.
What is the treatment? Make sure to drink enough of water and eat foods high in liquids throughout the day to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Dental Appliances
Dental equipment including braces, dentures, retainers, and other dental fixtures can cause pressure sores if they are not placed correctly. These pressure sores typically leave black stains on the lips or gums where they were until they finally heal.
You might need to find a dentist and schedule an appointment with them in order to get the fixture fixed in order to address these sores. The spots also need to be protected from direct sunlight while they are healing.
Allergies
Another sign that allergies may be to blame is dark blotches on the lips. The medical word for allergic responses that show up on the lips is pigmented contact cheilitis.
The potential reasons of lip irritation include the following:
The following:
If you experience an allergic reaction to any of these ingredients, you need to stop using them right away and seek medical attention.
Medications
One of the potentially harmful side effects of taking several drugs is discoloration of the skin of the lips. Examples of drugs that may result in dark spots to form on the lips include those that fit into the following categories:
Cytotoxic Medications
Changing one's pharmaceutical regimen may entail changing one's course of treatment.
Hormone Dysfunction
Numerous hormonal disorders can induce oscillations in thyroid hormone levels, which can result in the development of black spots on the lips.
To acquire a precise diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, call a doctor as soon as you can.
Vessel Lake
Venous lakes are distinguished by their slender size and high appearance. The hues range from a deep purple to a very dark blue. They are often not malignant, do not hurt, and have no other symptoms, although they can be mistaken for melanoma.
Despite the fact that the precise cause of venous lakes is uncertain, it is widely acknowledged that sun exposure is a contributing factor.
Laser therapy is necessary to eradicate venous lakes.
Sunspots
Sunspots are small, hyperpigmented areas of skin that appear on skin that has been exposed to UV rays for a long time. Those qualities include:
Sun spots are regarded as a sort of precancer that might result in skin cancer. In the medical profession, they are also referred to as actinic keratosis. Schedule a visit with your doctor if you are concerned about sunspots. Chemical peels are a method that can be used to eliminate sun spots, and may be one of the alternatives they provide.
Drinking and Smoking
The toxic substances and hazardous chemicals found in tobacco products can hurt the lips and mouth. Additionally, excessive alcohol use can upset the body's normal toxin balance, which can lead to the appearance of dark patches on the lips.
The best way to stop this symptom from happening is to stop or reduce the amount of these goods you consume.
Angiokeratoma
A benign skin growth known as an angiokeratoma can vary in size, appearance, and even color. They are often dark red or black in color, have a strong feel, and have an irregular surface. Usually, elderly persons experience the appearance of these wart-like lesions.
Angiokeratomas often don't pose any health problems. As an alternative, you can speak with a dermatologist about having the growths examined for any indications of cancer.
Angiokeratoma lesions can typically be removed with laser therapy or by freezing the affected area.
Cancer
The appearance of cancerous growths on the lips can take many distinct forms. One or more of the following symptoms are frequently indicative of cancer development:
I was curious if it was possible to develop a freckle on your lip.
The immediate response is, "Yes." A lip freckle, also known as a labial melanotic macule, is an oval area with a flat surface that can range in color from brown to black.
The majority of people with freckles on their lips are middle-aged women, while they can also be seen on men and younger people. It almost often affects the lower lip and usually develops as a lone lesion. Lip freckles can often confused with other pigmented lesions like sunspots or melanomas. It is in your best interest to have your condition evaluated by a doctor if you see a dark spot on your lip.
How does skin cancer on the lips appear?
Although it can occur on the top lip as well, lip cancer most usually affects the lower lip. Most frequently, lip cancer is categorized as an oral cancer subtype.
Lip cancer typically manifests as the following symptoms:
Although the exact origin of lip cancer is unknown, there are a lot of factors that can increase your risk of getting skin cancer, such as the following:
By avoiding the sun in the middle of the day, using sunscreen that offers wide spectrum protection, avoiding tanning beds, and quitting smoking, you can lower your risk of developing lip cancer. There is no reason to start using tobacco if you don't already.
Homemade remedies are available for treating black patches on the lips.
Many at-home treatments promise to get rid of black patches on the lips. The skin of the lips can allegedly be made healthier or lighter by using the products listed below to remove dark spots:
The following:
You'll start by applying any of the components mentioned above many times daily to your lips. It's been reported that if you stick to this routine, the dark spot will gradually fade away. Some of these remedies need the components to be broken up or blended in order to create a paste or juice.
Skin Care is Important.
Additionally, you might consider investing in specific lip balms that shield your skin from UV rays. An alternative way of exfoliating is to use sugar or salt scrubs. Exfoliation removes dead, discolored cells from the body.
Quit Smoking.
The best way to treat any black spots that may have developed on your lips as a result of smoking is to stop smoking. The use of nicotine patches or gum is one of numerous strategies for quitting smoking. There are alternatives to quitting smoking "cold turkey," which may not be suited for everyone. If you haven't already started using tobacco products, don't start now.
When should you schedule a visit with a doctor if you see black spots on your lips?
Only after trying every other alternative should you see a doctor. There is evidence that some of these treatments are successful for at least some people, despite the fact that home cures have not undergone rigorous scientific testing. In the event that the problem persists, you should see a doctor.
If you observe that a skin lesion is growing quickly, is glossy, or is unnaturally colored or shaped, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
To treat these issues, locate a dentist in your region. Dental issues may be connected to some of the reasons of black spots on the lips. You should consult a doctor as soon as you can if you find a dark spot on your lips and think it might be malignant.
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Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
