Adark spoton the lip may appear for a variety of reasons.
Other causes (like skin cancer) are more dangerous and require immediate attention.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancercan take the form of a dark spot.
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You may mistake them for a sore that doesn’t seem to be healing.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentationcan cause dark spots or patches on the skin anywhere on the body.
Several factors can cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
This condition can cause problems like pain, fatigue, and problems with liver function.
It can also cause issues with the skin.
With hemochromatosis, the skin can take on a bronze pigmentation from iron building up in the sweat glands.
This can then cause a dark stain on the skin.
Any existing scars may also be very pigmented.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water can cause dry and chapped lips, leading to irritation.
But this can make the lips more dry and irritated.
Constant irritation and inflammation sparked by lip licking may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, causing dark spots on the lips.
Common areas for sunspots include the face or hands.
They are dark in color and may be reddish, blue, or purple.
In people with darker skin tones, angiokeratomas may be less obvious.
Over time, the spots may look more like warts.
This is referred to as smoker’smelanosis.
Thyroid Disorders
Thethyroidis a gland found in the neck.
It is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism (the way your body produces and uses energy).
Thyroid disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, includingmelasma.
Melasma can cause brown or blotchy patches of skin on the face.
It is more common in females than in males.
Thyroid Disease Signs on the Skin
Thyroid diseases can cause some signs on the skin.
The medical term for this is allergic contactcheilitis.
It’s unclear what causes it, but it happens as a result of an over-production of melanin.
Multiple melanotic macules may be a sign of Addison’s disease or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Diagnosis
A dark spot on the skin could be due to various factors.
For this reason, it is a good idea to consult with a dermatologist to receive an accurate diagnosis.
A dermatologist will examine the spot and consider whether it might be something serious like skin cancer.
The only way to definitively diagnose skin cancer is through askin biopsy.
In this procedure, a sample of tissue is removed from the spot to be analyzed in the laboratory.
Summary
There are numerous potential causes for a dark spot on the lips.
The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to see a specialist such as a dermatologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dark spots on the lips can be due to a variety of causes.
In some cases, hyperpigmentation will resolve within six to 12 months.
But treatment will make this process faster.Dark spots triggered by other conditions may require other treatments to resolve.
Hyperpigmentation is one example of a dark spot that will fade with proper treatment.
If it is much darker, fading can take years.
Appropriate treatment may speed up this process.
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