My dark lips

My bottom lip and the inside of  upper lip have turned black it has been that way ever since i was 16. I never had this problem before i was 16. I am 18 now and they are still black i have tried lemon juice but i don't think it would work. can you please help me and tell me what to do i am very concerned!!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
One possibility that can be present with such symptoms is anemia and deficiency of vitamins C, K, B12, or folic acid. Eat a healthy, nutritious diet consisting more of green leafy vegetables and salads and try taking iron tablets and multivitamins for some days and see if the symptoms improve.

If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist and physician and get lichen planus which may present in this manner and other medical causes causing increased bruisability ruled out. I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Soory replied to an earlier question first.This can be due to fixed drug eruption or hyperpigmentation of the skin of the lip. Hyperpigmentation is darkening of the skin that occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.  FDE or fixed drug eruption may fade slowly and so may take a long time to go away. Although they resolve spontaneously but an oral antihistamine (e.g., hydroxyzine) and a topical corticosteroid may be needed.
I would suggest you to consult a dermatologist and get these possibilities evaluated. Treatment depends on the confirmation of diagnosis.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.

[totter45]

Thank you so much for that information I am still trying to consult a physician but in the meantime can you please tell me some home remedies that i can use.I think i may have to switch my lip gloss to a more generic brand cause its look like my lips are getting darker. but when i apply the lemon juice it looks like it getting slightly lighter so can you please tell me what to do?