What are the types of acne on the lips?
It is important to distinguish between open (black) and closed (white) comedones or comedones, as they are also called. Although both are purulent inflammations of the sebaceous glands.
Blackheads or open blackheads are dark spots, bumps or pimples with a dark "head" that can appear on different parts of the body, including the lips, nose, hands, etc. They are common in areas where there are hair follicles, as they also contain sebaceous glands. The result of their appearance is clogged pores. Medicalnewstoday.com says, “Blackheads, a form of acne, look this way because they contain oxidized melanin, a pigment created by skin cells called melanocytes. In fact, it is a milder form of acne that has a dark top. They are found only in open hair follicles.
Whiteheads or closed blackheads appear when the pores above them are completely closed, and they can reach larger sizes, as well as be accompanied by discomfort and pain.
Whitehead (closed comedone)
Blackhead (open comedone) on the lip
Reasons for appearance
Dead skin cells, sebum, and even dirt collect in exposed areas of the skin, forming a bump called a comedone. When the skin pore above it remains closed, a whitehead (comedone) is formed, and if it is open, then under the influence of oxygen it becomes dark.
Here are some factors that increase the chances of blackheads forming in the lip area:
Excess sebum production
Acne around the mouth or on the lips is usually caused by excess sebum production. When the sebaceous glands overproduce it, the excess will mix with dead skin cells and block hair follicles. An open comedone brings some of this excess to the surface of the skin, which causes oxidation and the subsequent appearance of blackheads.
Hormonal changes during adolescence and pregnancy
Hormonal fluctuations and imbalances are a big trigger for acne, both on the lips and other places like the back, chin, nose, etc. During the above periods, the levels of certain hormones, especially androgens, will rise. These hormones actually contribute to the overproduction of sebum, which clogs the pores, leading to acne on the lips.
It is also important to note that excess sebum production can be genetically predisposed.
Effects of certain medications
In some cases, black pimples around the lips can be caused by taking medications, which include corticosteroids, lithium, androgens and birth control pills. They, one way or another, affect hormone levels, which causes overproduction of fats, leading to the appearance of acne around the mouth and lips.
Environmental factors
Although the main factor influencing the appearance of acne is considered to be overproduction of sebum, certain environmental factors can also lead to their formation. Excess pollution, dust and small particles in the air reach the pores around the lips, after which they mix with sebum and cause the appearance of blackheads around the mouth.
Cosmetics and skin care products
The use of certain cosmetics, such as lipsticks, lip balms, lip gloss, and facial skin care products, can be considered a cause of acne. For example, makeup can clog pores and make the skin around the lips and the lips themselves more susceptible to acne.
Additionally, some skin care products made with ingredients containing triglycerides, fatty acids, and waxes can clog pores.
Other reasons
Besides the above-mentioned common acne factors, there are other causes that can contribute to the problem.
- excessive stress and mental tension;
- high humidity and excessive sweating;
- propionic bacteria, which cause acne;
- accidental trauma leading to wounds and bruises;
The influence of hormonal imbalance and adolescence on the appearance of pimples
During adolescence, adolescents very often experience rashes on the skin, including the genitals. Such manifestations are completely harmless. It just takes some time, and then the pimples themselves will certainly disappear. In particularly difficult situations, you can use special products with antibacterial properties. Ordinary brilliant green can dry out these pimples well, and then they will very soon disappear without a trace.
A disruption in the hormonal system can lead to skin rashes. Acne can be localized in a woman's intimate area. If a rash appears on the labia due to a hormonal imbalance, the doctor will prescribe a therapeutic course of special medications.
A failure in the hormonal system can lead to various diseases, which cannot always be cured. Only a doctor can determine the true picture of the disease and prescribe the correct therapy.
Symptoms
Common symptoms that will help identify blackheads on the lips, according to the authoritative site Healthline.com, include darkened, slightly raised bumps that are not inflamed or painful. They are a non-inflammatory type of acne, since bacteria have not yet entered the comedones. If acne becomes infected, it will lead to the development of papules, pustules, cysts and nodules.
In very rare cases, blackheads may be accompanied by slight pain and irritation, but remember that these are symptoms of more complex cases. The development of the disease can also be accompanied by psychological symptoms, that is, a decrease in quality of life and self-esteem.
Venereal pathologies
Against the background of infection with sexually transmitted diseases, rashes often appear on the labia, which can be of different colors and sizes. Often, infections that are sexually transmitted can be asymptomatic, which is why treatment is delayed. With serious illnesses like hepatitis and AIDS, cold symptoms may be observed along with fever, aching muscles and joints. Other diseases may manifest themselves in the form of rashes in the intimate area, but this often occurs when the disease has already begun to progress.
A rash that appears on the labia can often be the cause of gonorrhea, and, in addition, syphilis, and the more advanced the stage of the disease, the larger the area of the rash, and the pimples themselves can become much more inflamed, turning into ulcers. Any sexually transmitted diseases can be easily transmitted through sexual contact; therefore, before engaging in sexual intercourse, it is necessary to take all protective measures.
It should be emphasized that untimely and inadequate treatment of these ailments can lead to dire consequences; infections can spread beyond the initial localization, making it much more difficult to destroy them. Women who neglect treatment may, among other things, simply remain infertile.
The papilloma virus causes many serious illnesses in women. Among them, for example, cancer of the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and, in addition, various precancerous pathologies and other problems that can arise against the background of the papilloma virus, especially its sixteenth and eighteenth types. One of the main symptoms of this disease is the occurrence of painful acne, and, in addition, pimples and warts on the labia.
Treatment of pimples on the labia majora or labia minora today is based on the latest methods, such as chemical exposure and cryotherapy. At the same time, patients take various medications. This virus is a difficult-to-treat disease, and therefore it is necessary to take absolutely all doctor’s prescriptions seriously, without neglecting the recommendations of specialists and without triggering the disease.
One of the main routes of infection with this virus is unprotected sex. In seventy percent of cases of this disease, the culprit is sexual intercourse, which occurs without appropriate means of protection.
Treatment options
There is a wide variety of remedies for the treatment of acne on the lips, including both traditional methods and pharmaceutical preparations. However, the effectiveness will also depend on the nature of the acne. Below are some of the most suitable treatment options.
Simple pharmaceutical products
Acne can be treated using certain products such as lotions, gels, creams or pads. These products typically contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and resorcinol. They are applied directly to the skin to kill bacteria, dry out excess oils and remove dead cells.
Medicines prescribed by a doctor
In addition, there are several medications that should only be prescribed by a doctor. These drugs can be used to treat not only acne on the lips, but also acne around the mouth or inflammation of the face in general.
Most of these products contain components such as adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin and vitamin A. Quite often, antibiotics and benzoyl can be seen in the composition of such drugs.
Manual removal of blackheads on lips
It is possible to get rid of acne manually. In such cases, the doctor or dermatologist must use a special tool called a blackhead extractor. The process involves placing a loop over the problem area and then applying pressure to clear the blockages.
Laser procedures are an effective but expensive method
Laser therapy is considered the most effective and safe procedure for getting rid of blackheads on the face. This method can help reduce excess sebum production and also kill bacteria.
Microdermabrasion
During microdermabasation, doctors use a special device that contains a rough surface to wash the top layers of skin. This will get rid of the blockages that cause acne around the lips.
Folk remedies
Although, the effectiveness of home remedies has not been clinically proven, however, some people choose this method and achieve noticeable results. In fact, there are quite a large number of them, and usually their effect is aimed not only at acne on the lips, but also at generally improving the condition of the skin. Some known remedies include:
- application of honey and milk (usually used with cotton strips);
- using cinnamon and honey strips;
- using baking soda and water;
- using an egg white mask;
- gently cleanse the skin using sugar.
If after using some of these remedies no results are noticeable, you should consult a dermatologist.
How to treat?
Treatment for acne on the lips depends on the cause of its occurrence. Trivial examples:
- If you get pimples due to low-quality cosmetics, the easiest way to solve the problem is to give up harmful products. This problem is more common in women, but can also occur in men - shaving products are also considered cosmetics. In addition, if the reaction was allergic, you need suitable allergy medications - your doctor will recommend them to you.
- If the cause of pimples is hormonal imbalance, then it is important to choose the right treatment. First of all, you will need to take a hormone test to understand which hormones are not behaving as they should. And based on this information, select medications.
- I want to emphasize that only a doctor can correctly prescribe medications. It is he who will determine what suits you best: ointment, cream or tablets.
- The doctor will definitely prescribe you strict oral hygiene and avoiding contact with harmful chemicals.
Remember, the best thing is to contact a specialist.
Traditional methods of dealing with pimples on sponges
If you are sure about the type of pimple that bothers you, then try to get rid of it yourself - but carefully. I will give several options for treating acne at home.
- Regular acne that appears due to a clogged duct of the sebaceous gland can be treated with an alcohol solution: the most common remedies are salicylic acid and calendula (tincture). Simply cauterize the pimple with a cotton pad soaked in the solution.
- For herpes, you can treat the inflammation with all known acyclovir or Zovirax. Tea tree oil can also help - it also helps with simple acne due to its antiseptic properties. Yes, and surprisingly, toothpaste somehow helped me with herpes! It dries well.
- Pimples caused by stomatitis should be treated under the supervision of a doctor, but if it is not possible to go straight to the clinic, take a solution of furatsilin and herbs (sage, chamomile, calendula) from the pharmacy. Hydrogen peroxide will also work, but you need to be extra careful with it.
As for the last point in treatment, you can rinse your mouth with all of the above - strictly following the instructions for use and dosage, in principle, as I did.
Prevention
Obviously, it is almost impossible to avoid the appearance of acne, especially during adolescence and pregnancy. However, there are several excellent and effective ways that will help reduce the severity of the disease:
- Avoid excessive sweating and staying in places with high humidity.
- It is recommended to shower regularly to avoid the accumulation of sebum, bacteria and dust.
- You can limit certain dairy products, which contain certain hormones, which further stimulate the sebaceous glands.
- Avoid eating foods and drinks with a lot of sugar in them, as this increases insulin levels, which can also trigger the growth of other hormones that affect the appearance of acne.
- Get more rest.
- You need to eliminate tension and stress in your life.
- Do regular exercise as it is a remedy for many diseases.
- Takes good care of hygiene.
