WHETHER you’re kissing, chatting, eating or pouting, your lips are constantly being used.
But, there’s more to your lips than smooches and lipstick: they can, in fact, give you vital clues about your overall health.
Your lips are extra sensitive as the skin in thinner than on other parts of the body[/caption]
Dr Nora Jaafa, a cosmetic and medical dermatology doctor, tells Sun Health: “The lips are one of the most delicate areas of the face.
“Because the skin on the lips is much thinner than on other parts of the body, it’s more sensitive.”
Nina Prisk, a registered nurse and medical aesthetic clinician, says: “Your lips don’t have hair follicles or sebaceous glands – the glands that secrete oil – so they are more vulnerable to chapping too.”
Cracks, dryness, unusual colours or even persistent sores and spots can sometimes point to vitamin deficiencies, dehydration, allergies or even underlying medical conditions.
In rare instances they could even point to a medical emergency.
Although lip issues are often nothing to worry about, keeping an eye on your lips can give you valuable clues as to what is going on inside your body.
Here are eight key signs to look out for.
WRINKLES
Wrinkles around the lips look like small vertical lines, typically above the top lip.
They’re part of the natural ageing process, but other factors also come into play.
“If you have lighter skin and thinner lips, wrinkles tend to show up more,” says London-based GP Dr Amos Ogunkoya.
“Wrinkles happen in ageing as your skin becomes less elastic.
“Loss of the protein collagen, which provides structure and strength, happens as we age too, making wrinkles more likely.
“Pursing movements, such as smoking and drinking through a straw, are more likely to lead to wrinkles too.
“In fact, wrinkles around the mouth are much more likely in smokers.
Lip wrinkles are a natural part of ageing but you might be more prone to them if you smoke or have lighter skin[/caption]
“Smoking and UV exposure also disrupts collagen formation, accelerating the decline.”
When to see a doctor:
Wrinkles are unlikely to cause you any harm.
But if they are bothering you, a dermatologist can advise on potential treatments to reduce their appearance.
ROUGH, SCALY PATCHES
Dry, rough skin on the lips can feel tight and itchy. Sun damage could be the cause.
“Early signs of sun damage can include persistent dryness, cracking or scaling that doesn’t improve with lip balms,” says Dr Jaafa.
“Rough, scaly patches – known as actinic cheilitis – non-healing sores or changes in colour or texture are more concerning.
“These can indicate precancerous changes and, in some cases, lip cancer.”
This isn’t to be confused with angular cheilitis, a condition causing inflammation, redness, and cracks at the corners of the mouth.
Any persistent mouth sore should be checked out by a GP[/caption]
If your skin doesn’t heal as normal, that’s when it should raise concern
Dr Gareth Patterson
Rough, scaly patches could also indicate the skin condition eczema, often triggered by toothpaste, spicy foods or weather changes.
“Treatment usually involves avoiding triggers, using bland emollients like Vaseline, and sometimes short courses of mild steroid or anti-inflammatory creams,” says Dr Nora.
So how do you spot cancer?
Dr Gareth Patterson, an NHS GP, says: “Skin cancers can also look like a non-healing ulcer, a growing bump or a patch of scaly skin.”
When to see a doctor:
If you have a sore, lump or rough patch that lasts longer than two weeks, it’s worth getting it seen to.
“If your skin doesn’t heal as normal, that’s when it should raise concern,” Dr Patterson explains.
Treatment options range from topical medications and cryotherapy to laser treatment or surgical removal of any lumps, depending on severity.
Dr Nora warns that prevention is always best.
“Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher every day to protect this delicate area.”
CRACKED LIPS
We all suffer cracked lips from time to time, especially during cold weather.
As Nina notes, your lip skin is more delicate as it’s thinner and not protected by hair or oil secreting glands.
If your dry, cracked lips are persistent, though, you may be more sensitive to things that make it worse.
Exposure to extreme weather conditions, dehydration and sun exposure can cause dryness.
Staying hydrated by drinking at least two litres of water per day can help soothe your sore pout.
Dr Amos says: “Drink more in hot weather or if you do lots of sport.
“A good rule of thumb is to check that your urine is clear.”
Protecting lips from extreme weather and also wearing an SPF lip balm can all help to protect lips against becoming dry and cracked.
Cracked lips could be a sign of dehydration[/caption]
When to see a doctor:
If cracks don’t heal within a couple of weeks, despite taking care and staying hydrated, book in to see your GP.
They can check for any underlying issues or skin conditions that might need treatment.
BUMPS AND SORES
Itchy, painful lumps, pus-filled blisters or warts can make you feel like everyone is staring at your pout.
Usually, the root cause is easy to address – it may be a cold sore.
Nina says: “These are extremely common on the lips.
“They usually start with itching and then develop into a blister, before scabbing over.
“They are caused by the herpes simplex virus and usually clear up on their own in around ten days.”
There are two types of the herpes simplex virus: Type 1 causes cold sores, but also genital herpes, and is mostly spread by oral contact.
Type 2 is spread by sexual contact and causes only genital herpes.
Sores and warts around your lips could be caused by herpes or HPV[/caption]
If you’ve had a cold sore before, you’ll likely be able to recognise one coming on.
The virus is treatable, but not curable, and it can be passed on to others even when you’re not showing symptoms.
“Your pharmacist can provide creams to ease the pain and irritation of cold sores and antiviral creams and cold sore patches can help to aid the healing process,” says Nina.
Meanwhile, other causes of mouth sores include the STI syphilis.
Dr Amos says this can show up as painless ulcers.
Warts may also be a sign of HPV (human papillomavirus), a very common virus that is spread by close contact, including during sex, but is not known solely as an STI.
Although less common, Dr Patterson warns: “Lip cancer itself often appears as a sore or a thickened area that doesn’t heal.”
When to see a doctor:
Dr Amos says: “Always get help if you notice ulcers or warts around your lips.
“Visit your GP as antibiotics can be prescribed for syphilis.
“Wart treatments will be recommended for HPV.”
If a lip bump or sore does not heal, seek medical advice as it could be a sign of oral, skin or lip cancer.
Dr Patterson says: “Boots offer a free Pharmacist skincare trained advisory service.
“Or visit your GP who will examine the area closely and may refer you to a specialist for further tests or a biopsy if cancer is suspected. Early detection makes treatment much more effective.”
How contagious are cold sores?
A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling.
Over the next 48 hours one or more painful blisters will appear on your face.
The blisters are usually small and fluid-filled and they can appear on your lips as well as other parts of the face.
They tend to burst and crust over into a scab.
They usually clear up within 10 days.
Cold sores are contagious from the moment you first feel tingling or other signs of a cold sore coming on to when the cold sore has completely healed.
They can easily spread to other people and other parts of your body.
To help stop cold sores spreading:
- Wash your hands with soap and water whenever you touch your cold sore
- Do not kiss anyone while you have a cold sore
- Do not have oral sex until your cold sore completely heals as you could give your partner genital herpes
Source: NHS
CRACKS AROUND THE EDGES
Cracks on the edges of your mouth can be uncomfortable, sore or even itchy, and they can make it hard to open your mouth too.
“Cracks at the corners of the mouth are often caused by a condition called angular cheilitis,” says Dr Patterson.
“This can develop when saliva collects in the creases of the lips, creating a warm, moist environment where yeast (such as candida) or bacteria can thrive.
“It’s more common if your lips are often dry and you lick your lips constantly or if you wear dentures.
“Nutritional deficiencies such as B2 (riboflavin) can contribute to skin dryness and cracking.”
Dairy foods, eggs and meat are good sources of B2. If you’re vegan, you might want to consider a B vitamin supplement.
Try to keep the area clean and dry too.
Nina says: “I recommend using a balm that contains occlusive ingredients such as petroleum jelly, shea butter or lanolin.
“These create a barrier to prevent moisture loss and protect the area from further irritation.
“Products with mild antifungal or antibacterial properties may also help in some cases.”
Ask a pharmacist for these products.
When to see a doctor:
If the cracks at the side of your mouth aren’t going, book an appointment with your GP.
They can look into the causes if over-the-counter treatments haven’t worked.
CHANGE IN COLOUR
Lip colour varies from person to person, with skin tone and genetics having a big influence. But it can be alarming when your lip colour changes from your norm.
Nina says: “Pale lips may reflect anaemia or low circulation.
“Darkening can occur due to sun exposure, smoking or pigmentation changes.”
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common type of anaemia, a condition where the blood has a lower than normal amount of haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
According to the NHS, other symptoms include tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
Nina says: “A bluish lip tint is often due to low oxygen levels in the blood called cyanosis.
“This can be caused by issues such as lung disease, heart condition or even exposure to very cold temperatures where circulation is reduced.”
If the discolouration is short-lived and linked to the cold, it usually resolves once you warm up.
When to see a doctor:
If you are concerned you could have anaemia, visit your GP who can test your iron levels.
Nina says: “Persistent or sudden changes should always be assessed by a doctor to exclude underlying health concerns.
“Protecting lips with SPF and avoiding smoking are important preventive steps.”
If your lips maintain a persistent blue tinge, don’t ignore it.
Nina says: “It may indicate an underlying medical issue that needs urgent attention. In those cases, the best course of action is to see a doctor promptly to identify and treat the root cause.”
BLACK SPOTS
Dark spots and pigmentation aren’t usually serious, even if you don’t like the look of them – but there are exceptions.
Dr Patterson says: “They may be due to sun exposure, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy), smoking or even certain medications.”
This includes anti-seizure medications, cancer drugs and medication to treat high blood pressure.
Nina warns: “Any new or changing dark spot should be checked by a doctor, as it can occasionally indicate skin cancer.”
“Use an SPF lip balm daily for UV protection” to prevent dark spots from forming, Nina adds.
When to see a doctor:
If new or changing pigmentation appears, get it checked by your GP.
“Treatment can involve sun protection, stopping a triggering medication or, for cosmetic reasons, dermatological options such as laser treatment,” says Dr Patterson.
Skin cancer can develop as raised, rough or crusty bumps, but they can start as a flat, discoloured patch on the skin, which can be a range of colours – from red to purple or brown.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on existing moles or new ones that pop up.
Moles with a uneven edges or a mix of colours that seem to grow larger or change over time could be melanoma – a deadly form of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body.
Can you spot the cancerous moles from the harmless ones?
IF you’ve spotted a new mole or lingering mark on your skin, don’t be too quick to dismiss it.
It’s important to know what your skin looks like normally, to helps you notice any unusual changes.
The ABCDE rule can be followed to assess the health of a mole.
If your mole falls into the following, it’s worth getting checked:
- Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
- Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border
- Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours
- Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
- Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
Most melanomas don’t give you symptoms like pain or itching.
Meanwhile, some non-cancerous moles or abnormal patches of skin can be itchy.
So having some of these changes on their own doesn’t mean you definitely have melanoma, but you should still get it checked out.
There are two main types of skin cancer – non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer.
Non-melanoma skin cancer includes:
- Basal cell skin cancer – this is also called basal cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell skin cancer – this is also called squamous cell carcinoma
There are a few different types of melanoma too:
- Superficial spreading melanoma
- Nodular melanoma
- Lentigo maligna melanoma
Find out more about distinguishing moles here.
SWELLING
Puffy lips that are uncomfortable or itchy may indicate an allergy.
Nina says: “Lip swelling can often be linked to allergic reactions, a condition known as angioedema.
“This can be triggered by certain foods – such as nuts or shellfish – medications or ingredients in cosmetics such as fragrances or preservatives.”
Allergic swelling might also be accompanied by redness.
Nina adds: “Contact allergies are also common, for example, some people react to lipsticks, toothpaste or even dental products.”
“For mild cases, avoiding the trigger and using antihistamines can usually help reduce the swelling.”
When you see a doctor:
If your swelling develops suddenly it’s important to seek medical attention, as in rare cases it may signal a more serious allergic reaction. Call 111 for advice.
“If swelling is severe, comes on suddenly, or affects breathing, it’s a medical emergency and requires urgent attention,” says Nina.