sudden dark spots on lips

I woke up one morning this week and noticed that my lips had become noticably darker.  When I looked closer, there were "splotches" of dark pigment all across my upper lip, and one "splotch" on my lower lip. Two days later, my lips started progressing in dryness and the "splotches" spread across my bottom lip too. Now, 6 days later, my lips are extremly dry. I don't wear lipstick or lip gloss often and I've never really had a problem with dryness. What could this be? I am a worrier and can't find any relavent, non-cosmetic information online.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Since when are you having the symptoms? What is your age? Do you smoke?

Some causes of the symptoms you mention, could be lip biting, lip licking, Vit.B2 deficiency, smoking, overexposure to sun and ill fitting dentures. In extreme cases, this could be due to bacterial or fungal skin infection.

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not keep your lips dry; apply lip balm which contains sunscreen – preferably a medicated one.

If you have cracks at the corner of your mouth it indicates B2 deficiency in this case you need to take B2 supplements.

If the symptoms still persist, consult your skin specialist or dermatologist.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Regards.

[Dee1908]

About a month ago, my lips started to become very dry and chapped. I could not figure out why. I noticed about a week ago that there are 2 dark spots on my bottom lip. Why are my lips turning colors? Why are they so dry and chapped? What can I do to make the dark spots go away? I have started using a cocoa butter stick at night and I use BurtsBees chapstick during the day. I have noticed a difference in the dryness, they are not as dry anymore but the dark spots are still there. Please help if you can.

Concerned

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be a part of Cheilitis, which is a medical condition involving inflammation of the lip. Or a bad case of Chapped lips , a condition whereby the lips become dry and possibly cracked. It may be caused by the evaporation of moisture.

Lip balm can often provide temporary relief, though it should not be used extensively.  One should avoid licking their lips as saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which can damage the already compromised lip tissue.
Honey can be used on the lips as a natural remedy.

Cheilitis is associated with many conditions from Vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, be a symptom of allergies.can also be caused by taking the (retinoid) drug Isotretinoin (brand name Roaccutane).

Applying protective paraffin-based ointment (such as Vaseline) or lip balms to the lips is normally very effective. Also take Vitamin B supplements.

If nothing works you can have a biopsy done to find out the cause.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapped_lips

Some causes of the symptoms you mention, could be lip biting, lip licking, Vit.B2 deficiency, smoking, overexposure to sun and ill fitting dentures. In extreme cases, this could be due to bacterial or fungal skin infection.

You need to drink plenty of water daily – around 1.5 – 3 litres per day and eat a balanced diet. Do not keep your lips dry; apply lip balm which contains sunscreen – preferably a medicated one.

If the symptoms still persist, consult your skin specialist or dermatologist.

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Regards.

[amareto]

hi about 3 weeks ago I noticed on my daughter (10)  lips black spots. I thought she was licking her lips but she keeps telling me no, so I consulted with my peditrician and she look at her books and the only thing she found was related to adrennal cortez and  recomended me to see urgen a dermatoligist, but I have to wait about three week for the medical  appointment scheduled.

I have been doing researched found its related to  deficiency on the kidneys. Would you tell me more about it.

[mehek_love]

i hav black spots on the corner of my lips i dnt knw wht to do cn any1 here tell me any solution my age is 17 and sumtimes its itchy.....

[Daisymarimar]

Fo about 2-3 months now ive noticed black spots on my lips,the are also cracks on the sides of my lips sometimes but of recent ive noticed that the spots are takn a straight line on my upper lips,while, the down lips jst have thes spots seperated.please what can i do to stop these.thnks

[littleturtle405]

a few weeks ago I woke up a morning and I felt a completely dryness on my upper lip between my nose and lips . I didn't know what it was. after a few days it start getting black, and patchy spots on my upper lips  and a little swollen ,and most of all very itchy . I  started to  get more worried . I looked up on the internet to find out if there are more people  with the same problems. and yes there were. I have an appointment scheduled with my doctor. but in the mean time I am putting  an ointment that I bought  for my baby in the Netherlands called PUROL, that is a baby ointment for super dry skin , for diaper rash , for your lips to keep it moister , and it really helped my lips for the dryness . it is my best friend now. I just put it 2 times during the day and before I'm going  to bed. and I have no itchy no dryness ,no swollen . it feels so good on my lips.