Causes of white pimples on the lip

Published by: Laima Jansons

The oral mucosa performs a protective function and is a kind of mechanical barrier that prevents the penetration of microorganisms and bacteria into the body.

The plastic function ensures rapid tissue regeneration .

Due to the location of tactile and taste receptors in the mouth, the lining of the oral cavity is responsible for sensitivity.

Often, pimples, ulcers and blisters form on the inside of the lips, which have different origins and differ in pain. Such pathological formations cause discomfort and pain while eating . In order to prescribe effective treatment, it is necessary to identify the causes of the disease.

Stomatitis

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa, which can occur in mild and severe forms. The development of pathology is possible at any age. Risk factors for the appearance of white pimples on the inside of the lip include insufficient hygiene, smoking, and lack of iron in the diet. In this case, genetics and gender do not matter.

Causes of Fordyce granules

This is a light rash that can form on the lips, cheeks, genitals and groin area, on the chest, oral mucosa, and other places. At the moment they are not considered a pathology, but sometimes cause discomfort. Another name for granules is seborrheic cysts. They are not transmitted by contact and are more of an aesthetic defect.

Most often, their occurrence occurs during puberty, when hormonal changes occur in the body. It is believed that the formation of these white pimples on the lips may be due to the close location of the sebaceous glands to the surface of the skin.

There are the following reasons for the appearance of white pimples on the lip:

smoking;
abnormal location of the sebaceous glands;
improper care;
hormonal disorders;
narrowing of the excretory canals of the sebaceous glands.

This rash may resolve on its own.

What to do if pimples appear on your lips?

If you have pimples on your lips, you shouldn’t immediately run to the pharmacy for saving ointment. Despite popular misconception, the term “acne” does not refer to any specific disease. The rash can be a manifestation of many dermatoses. Only a specialist, having studied her character and collected anamnesis, will be able to prescribe adequate treatment.

With acne, inflammation around the lips is usually rare, but if the rash around the lips turns out to be acne, the doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics18. These include Clindovit® gel. Its main active ingredient is clindamycin phosphate, which upon contact with the skin is hydrolyzed to form clindamycin6. The drug is active against propionibacteria and helps reduce the level of free fatty acids6. To reduce the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, it is recommended to combine the use of Clindovit® with azelaic acid preparations (Azelik® gel) or benzoyl peroxide28.

What to do

For effective treatment it is necessary to diagnose the disease that causes this pathology and take timely preventive measures .

Treatment of acne with stomatitis

Exclusion from the diet of hot, sweet and spicy foods.
Rinsing the mouth with antiseptic drugs - Miramistin, Tantum Verde solution, Chlorhexidine.
Rinse with herbal mixture Stomatofit.
Application of gels – Cholisal, Metrogil-denta. These drugs have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
Use of immunostimulating drugs .

Photo 2: To prevent stomatitis, you should rinse your mouth with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or calendula decoction. Source: flickr (Cyberchemist).

Treatment of acne that occurs after mechanical damage

Rinse with chamomile decoction to disinfect the mucous membrane.
Rinsing with oak bark decoction . This decoction has an astringent, which promotes rapid healing of wounds.
Rinse with Miramistin (shows antibacterial and antimicrobial effects).
The use of drugs that accelerate tissue regeneration. Such drugs include Solcoseryl dental adhesive paste.

Treatment of acne due to candidiasis

Use of local antifungal drugs . These include Candide solution.
The use of systemic antifungal drugs - Fluconazole, Pimafucin, Mycoflucan.
Rinse with a solution of chamomile and sage .
Use of immunomodulators .
The use of antihistamines - Tavegil, Suprastin.

Note! With oral candidiasis in children, body temperature may increase and swelling of the gums may appear.

Treatment of acne with herpes

The use of antiviral drugs specializing in the treatment of herpes - Acyclovir, Zovirax. You need to use both tablet forms and ointments.
To eliminate the possibility of relapse , therapy should be carried out with drugs containing interferon - Viferon, Interferon, Genferon.

Photo 3: Rinsing with sage decoction for herpes promotes rapid healing of pimples and has an antimicrobial effect. Source: flickr (Vitaly Giragosov).

Causes of herpes

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can be transmitted through household contact. Airborne transmission is also possible.

The airborne route is the main route of infection with the varicella zoster virus.

Genital herpes and cytomegalovirus are transmitted sexually.

You can also become infected with herpes through blood or saliva. The virus can be transmitted through saliva through kissing. Small children who put things in their mouths every now and then are also very vulnerable. If at least one child in a children's group is infected, a rapid spread of the infection can be expected.

Herpes symptoms

Currently, most people are infected with some type of herpes virus. It is believed that antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus can be detected in almost every adult (up to 98% of the adult population of the Earth). Antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 are detected in 90% of the adult population of large cities.

However, as a rule, carriage of a herpes infection does not lead to the development of the disease. The herpes virus is activated when the body's defenses decrease. The weaker the immune system, the more likely the virus is to transition from dormant to active.

That is why the herpes simplex virus type 1 is popularly called “cold on the lip.” The appearance of herpetic rashes is usually preceded by a common runny nose, that is, ARVI. The disease weakens the immune system, which is what the herpes virus takes advantage of.

Symptoms of herpes simplex

When infected with herpes simplex virus type 1, the incubation period ranges from 1 to 8 days. Typical symptoms: chills, fever up to 39-40°C, headache, general weakness and drowsiness. Then redness appears, in place of which characteristic bubbles form. When the oral mucosa is affected, blisters are usually found on the inside of the lips, tongue, and less often on the palate, palatine arches and tonsils. Bubbles appear at the site where the virus enters the mucous membrane. Subsequently, the bubbles burst, leaving behind painful erosions.

The disappearance of symptoms does not mean complete recovery. The virus remains in the body and after some time (in conditions of decreased immunity) a relapse of the disease is possible. Relapses can occur 1-3 times a year for several years and even decades.

Symptoms of genital herpes

The incubation period of genital herpes lasts from 1 to 10 days, after which itching (burning) may be observed in the areas of future rashes. After which swelling appears, and then groups of bubbles appear on the mucous membranes of the genital organs. The inguinal lymph nodes are enlarged. The blisters burst and erosions and ulcers form in their place. The process can last from two to five weeks.

Relapse of the disease is possible within two weeks after the initial lesion. Relapses occur in at least half of those who have recovered from the disease.

How is it customary to deal with white spots under the skin of the lips in beauty salons?

In beauty salons, white spots on the lips are removed using laser therapy.

The procedure aimed at restoring the aesthetic appearance of the surface of the lips is performed as follows:

The patient sits in a special chair to provide cosmetic services.
The cosmetologist performs local anesthesia of the epithelial tissues that will be affected by the laser.
After the anesthesia begins to take effect, the surface of the lips, covered with Fordyce granules, is exposed to a laser.
Upon completion of the cosmetic procedure, the cosmetologist applies an antiseptic bandage.

In most cases, removal of Fordyce granules takes place in 1-2 stages, depending on the area of skin damage. Complete restoration of epithelial tissue occurs in 5-7 days. The new layer of epidermis has no signs of white spots and has a natural pink or flesh-colored tint.

Pimples that need to be seen by a doctor urgently

Sometimes even pimples on the labia that do not cause discomfort are a symptom of serious infectious diseases and STIs. The malignant nature of neoplasms can be recognized by the following signs:

after opening, the white rash on the labia becomes crusty, and new rashes appear around it - this is the main sign of the herpes virus;
bright red, painless, round pimples on the genitals and near the anus may indicate infection with syphilis;
if the white dots on the labia resemble not pimples, but plaque collected in lumps, and there is a burning and itching in the genitals, most likely, an exacerbation of genital candidiasis has occurred;
pimples in the form of flesh-colored compactions with a depression in the middle indicate infection with molluscum contagiosum.

The listed symptoms are especially dangerous in combination with fever and weakness in the body. To avoid dangerous diseases, women should consult a gynecologist or venereologist immediately after discovering suspicious pimples on the labia.

The article was checked for compliance with medical standards by a leading specialist at the Polyclinic+1 clinic, a dermatovenerologist, urologist, and mycologist.

Malashenko Vladimir Alexandrovich

Prevention

To protect yourself from unpleasant seals and suppurations, you must follow simple recommendations:

Stop wearing thongs.
Take care of intimate hygiene - wash, use wet bactericidal wipes, especially after being in a public toilet.
If you have hypersensitive skin and your bikini area gets irritated every time, there are gentle depilation methods and creams.
Follow the timing of changing pads and tampons, use soap without perfumed fragrances.
Wash yourself properly, wash the outer part of the genitals, there is no need to clean the vagina, this disrupts the natural microflora, which can cause infection in the genital tract.
After purchasing new linen, be sure to pre-wash it and change it for new ones every day.
Do not overheat in a bathhouse, sauna, or in the sun, and dress warmly in winter.
Get enough sleep, eat the right foods, drink plenty of water, avoid stress.
Avoid uncontrolled sexual intercourse.
Take immunomodulators and multivitamins that will strengthen the body's defenses.
Do not self-medicate, make an appointment with a doctor immediately, only a professional examination will help you understand the severity of the rash and choose the right treatment.

These simple tips can not only improve your well-being, but also save you a lot of money on visiting a gynecologist, venereologist, virologist and dermatologist.