Rash on the lips: causes, diagnosis, treatment, rash on the lips in a child, pregnant woman, what is dangerous, where to go

What diseases cause a rash on the lips?

Pimples, redness and other signs of irritation on the lips appear for various reasons. Most often, their appearance is associated with a weakened immune system, which cannot cope with bacteria and viruses.

Rashes appear due to vitamin deficiency, frequent hypothermia and overheating, improper installation of veneers and braces. The cause may be the spread of fungus.

A rash on the lips may indicate the development of:

Herpes - the disease is provoked by a virus, usually type 1. With this pathology, the rashes become regular and look like groups of small bubbles filled with liquid. Their appearance is accompanied by itching and pain;
Allergies to cosmetic products, toothpaste, substances contained in food. A feature of rashes of allergic origin is swelling, and at the same time redness appears on the skin;
Oral dermatitis - the rash is quite profuse, accompanied by peeling and sometimes a decrease in skin sensitivity. The cause of the pathology is disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, the use of low-quality cosmetics, skin hypersensitivity, prolonged exposure to a solarium or exposure to the sun;
Fordyce's disease - the disease manifests itself in connection with the expansion of the sebaceous glands against the background of hormonal imbalance and manifests itself as white granules or nodules.

When the rash is accompanied by cracks, peeling, and yellow crusts are visible on the lips, this may indicate cheilitis. The disease progresses due to genetic predisposition, frequent stress, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and hypovitaminosis. Neoplasms in the form of ulcers with bleeding may turn out to be malignant.

Types of the disease, their symptoms

There are a large number of types of disease, each of which has its own symptoms. Cheilitis happens:

catarrhal, resulting from injury. Its characteristic symptoms are redness, peeling, swelling and soreness of the lips.
eczematous, developing due to the occurrence of eczematous processes. The reason is an allergy to a certain type of food, cosmetics (lipstick, cream).
glandular, associated with an abnormality of the salivary glands. It happens that cheilitis on the lips accompanies periodontal disease, lupus, etc. The lower lip often suffers and begins to peel.
meteorological. It is caused, as the name suggests, by weather conditions (high air humidity, strong wind, decreased or increased temperature, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, etc.).
exfoliative, characterized by a chronic course. It is divided into two forms - dry (the blood supply to the lips is disrupted and, as a result, dry scales are formed, which can be easily removed, but after a few days they appear again) and exudative (the border swells and becomes inflamed, crusts appear).
angular, called jam. Due to streptococci, inflammation begins in the corners of the lips. Vitamin deficiency and frequent licking of lips can also provoke it.
atopic, accompanying atopic dermatitis. The red border of the lips flakes and itches, the lips crack.
hypovitaminosis, which occurs due to a lack of B vitamins. Dryness and a pronounced burning sensation affect not only the lip area, but also the entire mucous membrane of the mouth, including the tongue. In this case, the mucous membrane turns red, and vertical cracks form in the area of the red border.

Regardless of the type of cheilitis, common symptoms will be:

peeling of the lips, observed both only near the border and over the entire surface;
swelling and swelling, burning and itching in the lips, the appearance of cracks and crusts on them.

Is a rash on the lips contagious?

The cause of the rash on the lips determines whether the disease can be transmitted to others. Herpes is transmitted through contact with body fluids or damaged tissue of an infected person. With noticeable lesions, the virus is especially dangerous, but its transmission is also possible in the asymptomatic stage. You can become infected through a kiss or utensils used by the carrier of the virus.

Allergies and oral dermatitis cannot be transmitted from one person to another. The same applies to Fordyce's disease, cheilitis.

Common symptoms and manipulations in dermatology:

Skin rashes
Calling a dermatologist to your home
Itching in the urethra
Itchy skin
Skin rash
Prevention of casual sex
Skin neoplasms
Pyoderma
Pityriasis rosea
Streptoderma
Scabies
Peeling skin
Fungal infections
Skin infection
Pus on the skin
Blisters on the skin
Papillomas on the foreskin
Sexually transmitted diseases
Skin structure

Which doctor treats a rash on the lips

A rash near the lips can be a dangerous symptom. If such manifestations occur, you should definitely visit a doctor, undergo prescribed tests and, if necessary, a course of treatment. First, you should visit a dermatologist, who will prescribe diagnostic procedures to identify the disease.

Even if the test for herpes is positive, many more parameters are taken into account when prescribing therapy: the number of antibodies, the stage of the disease, the individual characteristics of the body. This disease has 8 varieties, and appropriate treatment is selected for each.

If a reaction to certain substances and products develops, consultation with an allergist is required. There is often a need to visit an immunologist, since most diseases associated with a rash on the lips progress against a background of weakened immunity. But you should not visit the dentist if you have such symptoms. During dental treatment, the vesicles can become damaged and become infected, which causes inflammation and complications.

Ointments that are used for rashes on the lips

A qualified doctor should select medications to treat rashes. Attempting to get rid of unpleasant symptoms on your own will, at best, relieve the symptoms without eliminating the cause of the problem. At worst, the situation will worsen.

A rash on the lips caused by the herpes virus is treated with antiviral drugs - for external use or for oral administration. The following ointments are used:

Acyclovir (Virolex, Zovirax, Acyclostad, Herperax, Gerpevir, Provirsan) is an antiviral agent that penetrates the DNA chain of the virus and stops its replication. However, over time, the effectiveness of the drug decreases, so its use requires justification;
Penciclovir (Vectavir, Fenistil Pencivir) - enters infected cells without affecting healthy ones. Prevents viral DNA synthesis;
Docosanol (Gerpanit, Erabazan, Priora) - prevents the connection of the virus with the cell membrane, is prescribed in the initial stages of the pathology.

For Fordyce's disease, ointments with retinol are used. For cheilitis, you need to use corticosteroid ointments - Prednisolone, Flucinar. The treatment regimen for oral dermatitis usually includes the use of metronidazole cream or gels, clindacimine, erythromycin, azelaic acid products, and pimecrolimus cream.

Answers to frequently asked questions about skin rashes:

Which doctor should you contact for a skin rash?
Is the skin rash contagious?
What diet is necessary for skin rashes?
What diagnosis is needed for a skin rash?
Why is a skin rash dangerous?
Why is it necessary to get tested for a skin rash?
What diseases does a skin rash indicate?
What examination is necessary for a skin rash?
Which skin rash is dangerous?
How to distinguish an allergic rash from an infectious one
How to get rid of skin rashes?
How to get rid of itching skin rash?
What organs are affected by a skin rash?
How to prepare for an appointment with a dermatologist?
How to get checked for skin diseases?
What diseases does a dermatologist treat?
What tests should be taken by a dermatologist?
What diagnostics can a dermatologist perform in the clinic?
Where to go with a skin disease?

Possible causes of a rash in a child

10.12.2021

Scarlet fever

The rash with scarlet fever is small, like semolina , pinpointed. You often have to look closely to see it. It is located on the stomach , groin, inner thighs, and elbow bends. It appears at the beginning of the disease. But most often, high fever, vomiting, and headache are detected first. The main symptom of scarlet fever is bright red, burning tonsils in the child’s throat. Perhaps this is the most dangerous childhood infection, as it often causes complications in the heart and kidneys . At the slightest sign of scarlet fever, call a doctor . Well, if you find out that your child has been in contact with a person with scarlet fever, be on alert: observe him for 7-10 days, give him vitamins. In general, be wary throats sore throat . Not even every doctor the diphtheria film on the tonsils .

Measles

The measles rash is large and bright, immediately noticeable , and rises above the skin in the form of small papules. At first it usually appears on the face , forehead, behind the ears , and the next day it “descends” to the body, arms, and on the third day to the legs . It is preceded by a fever, a rough cough, and the eyes (pain appears). After complete rash, the temperature goes away. Parents often worry about pigmentation - don’t worry, it will go away later without a trace. This disease does not cause severe complications in vaccinated children.

Rubella

Rubella is probably the easiest infectious disease for children. The temperature is low, the throat , and the occipital lymph nodes become inflamed. The rash can be large or small and appears all over the body at once. But pregnant women should beware of rubella, as this virus causes fetal deformities.

Herpes

When the body weakens, herpes usually appears on the lips. The bubbles are usually smeared with brilliant green, cauterized with alcohol, and irradiated with quartz. From experience, I know that herpes does not like regular earwax (it can be obtained from ears ). There are expensive antiviral ointments: Verulex, Acyclovir, others usually do not help. Herpes is not so harmless. Sometimes herpetic meningoencephalitis occurs, when, against the background of a simple cold, the child suddenly loses consciousness. An attentive doctor will find herpetic blisters on the inside of the cheeks. With this disease, time is counted by the clock. Only urgent intensive therapy with special antiviral drugs will help. It is important to recognize the disease as early as possible...

Prickly heat

Miliaria is a harmless rash; small, pink, slightly raised above the skin, located on the back , neck , chest . The reason for its appearance is overheating and insufficient care. If you find heat rash in your baby, wash him, change his underwear, and make sure he doesn't sweat. This rash is not contagious, but you need to take care of the child’s skin so that purulent rashes do not appear - small yellowish blisters, vesiculopustulosis. This is a fairly serious disease, a frequent scourge of infants, and it also happens to older children. Bubbles appear on the back , chest , neck , legs , arms. They burst, leaving crusts (pustules) on the skin. From the bursting blisters, pathogens (staphylococci) enter neighboring areas of the skin, and so they spread throughout the body. This happens especially quickly when swimming. If you find such an abscess, immediately lubricate it with brilliant green.

Streptoderma

More dangerous is streptoderma, during which purulent blisters appear the mouth , body, neck , and face They quickly burst, forming purulent crusts. If the slightest signs of this disease appear, the child should not be taken to kindergarten or school. Contact a dermatologist . Streptoderma is treated with special ointments.

Allergy

Allergic rash is perhaps the most common among non-infectious diseases. This is a reaction to foods and medications. It looks like a rash from a nettle burn - red grains, accompanied by itching. Sometimes allergies can have severe reactions: a rash with vascular , swelling of the eyes , lips, face . One of the reasons for its appearance is that our market is saturated with powerful allergens : oranges, tangerines, chewing gum, drinks (containing a full range of chemical elements), chocolate. Honey and strawberries are also allergens

Many parents treat allergic rashes in their children with Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, and Tavegil. These are old drugs that have many side effects: they penetrate the central nervous system, causing lethargy, drowsiness, and “Pipalfen” even hallucinations. There are more modern drugs - Claritin, Loratadine, Gismanal, Histolong, Zyrtec, Terfenadine. I think that mothers should know about them, as they are more effective and harmless.

Often, ordinary sweets cause a rash in a child. Think about it, maybe this pleasure isn’t worth such dire consequences? After all, sometimes allergies can only be eliminated with hormones , which in themselves are dangerous for the child. When allergies , parents need to be wary, because an allergic rash is just the tip of the iceberg of trouble that is happening in the child’s body.

Published in Pediatrics Premium Clinic

Types of rashes on the lips

Rash on the lips can be of various origins, and externally such skin lesions differ in character, color and other characteristics. The rash can be classified as:

Blisters are small formations with hemorrhagic or serous contents, their size is 4-5 mm;
Bubbles - formations with a diameter of 5 mm to several centimeters, usually indicate a long course of the disease;
Pustules are red or pale pink, filled with pus. They can be located not only on the surface, but also deep under the skin;
Spots – redness of small areas of the skin;
Nodules and nodules that can leave scars;
Erosion and ulcers are neoplasms that violate the integrity of the skin and have transparent or cloudy contents.

Allergic reactions lead to the appearance of small bright pimples, swelling, and edema.

Rash on lips in pregnant women

During pregnancy, certain prerequisites arise for the activation of the herpes virus. The body perceives the fetus as something foreign, and to prevent its rejection, maternal immunity is automatically reduced. The main symptom of the disease is a rash on the lips.

The disease can be primary or recurrent, the effect of the virus on the unborn baby depends on this. If a woman has previously had herpetic manifestations, the probability of danger to the fetus is estimated at approximately 5%. This is explained by the presence of specific antibodies in the blood. If the body has not previously been infected, the risk of fetal pathologies increases markedly.

But a rash on the lips of a pregnant woman is often a sign of hormonal changes in the body, especially in the early stages. The main reason is an increase in progesterone production. Such conditions are not dangerous for either the mother or the child.

Allergies also do not pose any risks to the fetus: the placenta provides reliable protection against allergens and antigens, as well as antibodies that are produced to suppress them. All these substances do not get inside the fertilized egg.

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 of lip rashes

In order to prevent rashes on the lips, it is necessary to maintain the immune system in a normal state: eat well, give up bad habits, engage in physical activity, harden, minimize the influence of stress and hypothermia. As recommended by your doctor, you should take multivitamin complexes or individual vitamins to prevent their deficiency in the body.

To prevent herpes you need:

Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with affected skin areas;
Do not use other people’s hygiene items and store your own items separately;
Use individual dishes;
Avoid kissing your partner while the virus is active.

The use of high-quality cosmetics and careful diet control will help prevent allergic manifestations. If the diagnosis reveals the body’s reaction to certain foods, it is necessary to stop consuming them. During periods of exposure to the sun or visiting a solarium, you should use special protective creams.

Clinical manifestations

Localization : has a characteristic location of the rashes, these are the perioral zone, nasolabial folds, skin of the chin and cheeks. The affected areas are characterized by symmetry.

Characteristic sign : a strip of healthy skin around the lips measuring 2-4 mm (characteristic in most cases, however, the case shown in the photo is a rare exception).

Rashes : pinkish-red papules, papulo-vesicles and papulo-pustules measuring 1-2 mm are located on an erythematous (red) background. Rashes are resolved by the appearance of crusts in place of the papules. The skin is dry, swollen.

Subjective sensations: characterized by a feeling of skin tightness, itching and burning.

Outbreaks of erythema with temperature changes, alcohol intake, spicy and hot foods. These manifestations are also characteristic of rosacea, which complicates the diagnosis of perioral dermatitis.

pigmentation may develop .

Why is a rash on the lips dangerous?

The degree of danger of a rash on the lips and the likely consequences are determined by the causes of this manifestation. For example, the herpes virus is integrated into the genetic apparatus of cells, rashes appear not only on the face, but also in any places where there are nerve endings. This leads to disruption of the functioning of internal organs. If left untreated, a secondary bacterial infection develops and the wound begins to fester. With a serious decrease in immune defense, herpes can cause dangerous diseases, such as encephalitis.

Allergic reactions also pose certain health risks. With allergies, the body produces antibodies to specific proteins that the allergen contains. Due to the formation of biologically active substances, the heart rate may increase, smooth muscle spasms may occur, and edema may develop. The most dangerous manifestation of the pathology is anaphylactic shock - swelling of the larynx, which can even lead to death.

It is easier to treat any disease at the initial stage, while the pathology has not yet caused significant harm to the body. That is why, if a rash occurs on the lips, you should not try to disguise it or cure it yourself. The best solution would be to visit a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment.

When pimples on the genitals are not dangerous

The first sign that indicates that pimples on the labia are not dangerous is the absence of purulent discharge and signs of inflammation along the edge of the neoplasm. As a rule, white pimples on the labia, which are slightly lighter in color than the surrounding integument, occur due to blockage of the enlarged sebaceous gland with too thick secretion - a so-called wen is formed in their place.

In most cases, wen on the labia does not cause concern to doctors; there is no specific treatment for this problem. However, if the tumor becomes larger than a bean, interferes with sexual activity and causes discomfort, the doctor may decide to surgically remove it.

Another type of non-hazardous formation on the genitals is white pimples on the labia after depilation at home. They appear especially often due to lack of treatment with antiseptics before and after the procedure. The fact is that when a hair is pulled out, the mouth of the follicle remains open for some time.

The ingress of water, cosmetics, or fabric fibers into such micro-wounds can result in irritation and inflammation of the follicles. In this case, small white pimples form on the labia with slight redness along the rim. Antibacterial soap and products with antiseptic properties (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol solution and chlorhexidine) will help to cope with them.

Treatment of rash on lips

Whatever the reason for the appearance of a rash on the lips, not only the help of a doctor is necessary, but also the establishment of normal skin care, the elimination of external irritants (if it is an allergy), and correction of the nutritional diet. In general, you probably can’t do without contacting a medical specialist.

It is he who must determine the current condition of the skin, choose the right method of therapy and subsequent skin care. If you follow the doctor's instructions, you will probably soon get rid of problems associated with skin diseases and rashes.

After the initial diagnosis, additional tests are prescribed to confirm the diagnosis and the immediate therapeutic course. All this must be done on time, without ignoring the occurrence of a rash on the lips ,

like most people do. In this case, you will protect yourself from possible complications and the development of dangerous diseases. Chronic diseases can be expressed by severe peeling, cracking, extreme dryness and the fact that the skin may become thicker.

Therefore, it’s time to think about how important it is to follow the correct regime, a normal diet and monitor the condition of every part of your body, including your lips.

Updated: 2019-12-20

Methods for diagnosing skin diseases:

Diagnosis of skin diseases
Diagnosis of skin diseases at home
Diagnosis of allergic skin diseases
Diagnosis of bacterial skin diseases
Diagnosis of viral skin diseases
Diagnosis of hair diseases
Diagnosis of nail diseases
Diagnosis of skin tumors
Skin scraping
Blisters on the skin
Dermatoscopy
Demodex tests
Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections
Mushroom tests
Skin scraping