Rashes and pimples on the lips are quite unpleasant things. It affects not only beauty and aesthetics of the face, but also causes pain, feeling of stretched skin and redness.
There are a lot of possible causes of pimples on the lip. They usually occur due to clogged pores. If the blocked pore gets inflamed, a pimple, containing pus, may appear.
However, a pimple is not an indicator of poor hygiene, and in most cases should not be a reason for your great concern. It’s essential to avoid squeezing the pimple or piercing it with a needle. This can lead to infection, and the pimple may leave a scar.
There’s no need trying to guess “the logics of a rash” and wondering why a pimple on the lip “popped out”. It is better to make out the reasons for its occurrence and how to get rid of it as soon as possible.
What is a Pimple?
Pimples occurs when hair follicles become clogged with dead skin cells or fat, also known as sebum. Sebum passes through the hair follicles, helping to moisturize the skin and hair. When excess sebum and dead skin cells build up, they block pores and allow bacteria to grow. As a result, pimples appear.
A white Pimple is formed when the wall of the follicle swells, and a black Pimple (blackhead) is formed when bacteria in the clogged pores are exposed to the air.
Pimples can appear at any age. Their appearance can be caused by consuming dairy products, chocolate, improper make-up removal, use of certain medications, hormonal changes during puberty, female menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as stress.
There are a few reasons that could cause a sudden spot, a pimple or rash to appear on or around your lips. It is important to determine whether they are worth worrying about and what treatments are available if necessary.
Pimples on the lips can vary in size, appearance, and accompanying symptoms. Sometimes they can be painful or annoying, but often they are harmless and disappear without treatment. More serious causes of rashes on the lips may require medical treatment.
Let’s look at several reasons for the appearance of pimples on the lips, including cases when rashes are symptoms of diseases.
Allergy
Allergies can cause rashes and pimples on the lips. The rash can be caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, pet fur, or certain foods.
Allergies can be caused by a lipstick, in particular, that, containing titanium and other harsh chemicals. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system identifies a certain allergen as harmful, causing inflammation of the skin and lips, or even more serious reactions such as anaphylaxis.
If you notice a rash on your lips after eating some foods or inhaling certain smells, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe tests and treatment.
Aptha
If white blisters with pus appear on the inside of the lip and are accompanied by a burning or tingling sensation, it may be Aphtha (Canker Sore). Aptha is small lesion that can develop on the soft tissues of the mouth or near the base of the gums. Aptha is not contagious, but can be painful, especially when eating or talking.
Usually, Aphtha is small and of oval shape. It can heal without scarring in just a few weeks. Large ones are less common but can be extremely painful and have irregularly shaped edges. It takes up to 6 weeks for such sores to heal, and significant scars may remain after them.
Canker sores can appear due to minor injuries to the oral cavity, as well as due to a deficiency of vitamin B-12, zinc, or iron. Apthae can be caused by stress and certain foods, including coffee, chocolate, strawberries, peanuts, and tomatoes, etc. The sores usually disappear on their own within a week.
Consult your family doctor or a dentist if your Aptha causes pain, sores don’t disappear, or spread to the outside of your lips.
Herpes
A pimple on the lip can be Herpes (Cold Sore), especially if the small blisters are clustered together around the lips. Herpes is caused by certain strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
As a rule, Herpes causes itching, burning or tingling feeling around the lips during the day, then the sores harden, and later – several blisters filled with liquid appear. In some time, they can “merge” into one blister and start bursting.
Signs and symptoms of Cold Sores can vary depending on whether this is a first outbreak. At the first outbreak, a person may suffer from fever, headache, pain in muscles and gums.
HFMD (Hand-foot-mouth disease)
Another viral infection, causing pimples on the lip and red spots in the mouth, that turn into painful sores is Hand- foot-and- mouth disease (HFMD).
- fever;
- loss of appetite;
- pain in the throat and oral cavity;
- red spots in the mouth;
- a rash on the fingers, hands, soles of the feet, buttocks and in the groin.
HFMD is a common condition for children under 5 years of age. Although contagious, HFMD is rarely a serious disease. Most patients recover after treatment within 7-10 days.
Thrush of the mouth cavity
Mouth thrush, or Candidiasis, is an infection caused by a yeast fungus known as Candida.
This yeast is naturally present in the mouth but can sometimes cause problems if it grows in amount too much.
Symptoms of Oral Thrush may include:
- white spots on the tongue, throat and inner surfaces of the mouth;
- redness and cracks in the corners of the mouth;
- loss of taste or particular sensation in the mouth;
- redness and pain when eating or swallowing.
Anyone can get Thrush, but people with poor immune systems are at greater risk than others.
The Fordyce Granules
The Fordyce Granule is a cluster of small white or yellowish pimples that can form on or near lips. Such a rash is not contagious and not painful. It is an enlarged sebaceous gland that naturally exists on lips and other moist tissues, like the inside of the mouth, cheeks, or genitals, and usually disappears over time.
Mucocele
A Mucocele is a mucus-filled mass on the lower lip, gums, or Oral Mucosa. Usually, Mucoceles appear after an injury, for example, an accidental bite on the lip, or due to a blockage of the salivary gland, which is responsible for draining saliva into the mouth. Most Mucoceles disappear without treatment.
Perioral Dermatitis
Perioral Dermatitis is a common skin condition that resembles Acne. People with this disease get a small, red, bumpy rash around the mouth and chin. There is no exact data of what causes this problem. However, the use of certain cosmetic creams or skin contact with water or toothpaste containing fluoride can be potential reasons.
Lip Contouring
A lump on the lip can also be the result of Hyaluronic acid Lip Contouring.
Lumps that appear within the first 72 hours after the procedure usually result in swelling or bruising and normally disappear in a couple of days. However, unevenness lasting longer than 72 hours may be a reaction to the filler.
If the lump does not disappear in about 2 weeks, it is better to contact the specialist who performed the procedure. They can dissolve the lip filler with an enzyme which splits hyaluronic acid.
When it concerns beauty and aesthetics, in particular the oral cavity, you should trust professionals and learn what aesthetic and antiaging dentistry is.
How to get rid of a pimple on the lip at home
In most cases, a pimple on the lip is not a sign of the disease. After a while, an annoying pimple should disappear.
To speed up this process:
- wash your face at least twice a day with mild soap;
- do not rub the affected area and do not try to squeeze a pimple on the lip;
- avoid face creams, cosmetics and sunscreens as they can cause irritation;
- do not smear pimples on the lips with toothpaste, as it is designed for teeth, not for sensitive facial skin;
- have nutritious, balanced food with plenty of vitamins and minerals;
- drink plenty of water daily;
- maintain good oral hygiene, brush your teeth twice a day.
A few of the following remedies can help get rid of pimples on the lips.
Tea Tree Oil can reduce inflammation if a pimple has appeared on the surface of the lip and stop its further development.
Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory, soothing and moisturizing properties. and can be useful for treating pimples on the lips.
Applying Ice to inflammatory pimples can help reduce lip swelling. However, before using Ice, you should wrap it in a clean cloth or gauze and not apply Ice directly to the pimple.
To reduce unpleasant symptoms and promote the rapid healing of pimples on the lip, you can purchase an over-the-counter drug containing benzoyl peroxide at a pharmacy. This chemical kills bacterium that cause rashes and reduces inflammation. Products containing benzoyl peroxide can be in the form of gels, lotions, and face washes.
However, if pimples appear regularly, they are plentiful, and they do not disappear within 4-8 weeks, you should consult a dermatologist. For multiple or recurring pimples on the lips, a dermatologist may prescribe medication, and in some circumstances even antibiotics, to kill the bacteria that cause pimples on the lips.
Laser therapy is applied in Acne treatment, which also affects bacteria.
If nothing else helps, the doctor can remove the pimple with sterile instruments.
Prevention of pimples on the lip
Some measures can reduce the likelihood of acne on the lip.
- Try to reduce your stress level.
- Use an oil-free sunscreen to avoid clogging your pores.
- Remove your make-up before going to bed. Avoid oily make-up and cosmetics.
- Avoid touching your face: Hands can carry bacteria and transmit infection.
- Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains over white bread, cookies, candy, and other foods high in processed sugar and carbohydrates.