As if pimples are not pathetic already, one that pops out on the lips can be the worst thing in the world! Cold sores or a pimple on lips never goes unnoticed as it is such a central spot on the face and it can really draw unwanted attention. Differentiating both can be slightly difficult, but after reading this article, you will be able to classify the difference between a pimple on lip and cold sores.
Pimple On Lips Vs Cold Sores
Cold Sores/ Herpes
Cold sores are also known as fever blisters. To identify a cold sore, you should know what do cold sores look like. Actually, they are small blisters filled with fluid that may arise in the form of a cluster around the bottom lips. These blisters typically cause itching, tingling or burning sensation in the affected areas before their appearance. Once the blister pops, it oozes out fluid that is clear to yellowish in color. The blister then turns into yellowish crust. Such blister will fade away once it is popped. It will take around two to four weeks to clear the scar.
SYMPTOMS OF COLD SORES INCLUDE PAIN, BURNING, ITCHING, FEVER, FATIGUE OR MUSCLE ACHES.
How to know if you have a cold sore? Symptoms that accompany cold sores include fever, fatigue, irritability or muscle aches. It will take around two to four weeks to clear the scar. Other symptoms that accompany cold sores include fever, fatigue, irritability or muscle aches.
What is a Pimple?
A red small bump on the edge of lips or anywhere around the lips can be a pimple. Pimple on lips are formed when the hair follicles are clogged due to the sebum or oil excreted by the skin. The sebum tends to travel through hair follicles and as a consequence it adds moisture to your skin and hair. It can also cause due to the accumulation of dead skin cells around the lips.
PIMPLES ON LIP LINE ARE NOT ONLY AN UNPLEASANT SIGHT BUT ARE ALSO VERY PAINFUL.
The extra amount of sebum or dead skin cells accumulate and gives a breeding ground to bacteria. This consequently results in the formation of a pimple. Pimples are also often confused with the little white, black or red bumps on the corner of lips. Those are not pimples; they are sebaceous glands that are slightly raised.
Types Of Pimples On Lip
Pimple On Upper Lip
Pimples can appear on any part of your body. Breakouts above lips can be due to multiple reasons.
- Threading: This is the most common way of upper lips hair removal. Threading is done using a thread to remove extra facial hair. In doing so, you can get pimples above lips.
- Waxing: Some ladies prefer waxing their upper lips for extra hair removal. Waxing can be harsh on skin and may leave tiny red bumps on the upper lips. These red bumps usually fade away in 3 to 4 days.
Pimple On Lower Lip
Just like a pimple on above lip, there are many causes of pimples on lower lips. Some females have extra facial hair on their chin or below lower lips due to Polycystic ovaries disorder, irregular menstruation cycle or menopause. They remove these facial hairs through threading or waxing the extra hair. This may result in a pimple on lower lip or bottom lips.
Likewise, men while shaving, get razor cuts that can result in an infected pimple. In men, a pimple can also form on the lips due to smoking.
Pimples Around Mouth Or Corners
Pimples can also appear on the sides of your lips. It can appear anywhere around the mouth. The probable reasons can be pimples due to threading, waxing, hormonal imbalance, STD, stress or anxiety. Some people also get infected pimples filled with pus on around the lips because of any infection or side effect of any medication. These pimples or zits can be small, big, red or even swollen.
Swollen Lip Pimple
Another type of pimples on a lip is swollen lip pimple. Your small little zit on the corners or any part of the lips can become swollen and huge. This can happen when it is filled with pus (due to excess sebum and bacteria) or if you try to squeeze a pimple with your hands.
Painful Pimples
Pimple can be small or big. They can be red acne bumps or zits. They can also be cold sores is they accompany the symptoms of cold sores. They can also become big painful swollen pimples if you touch them or squeeze them frequently.
Causes Of Pimples Around Lips
Pimples on lips can cause due to a number of reasons. Many people get pimples or zits around the lips at any point of their life. Typically, some of the causes of pimples can be the bacteria build-up, excessive secretion of sebaceous/oil glands or hair removing treatments such as threading, waxing etc. In addition to these following are few of the more causes of pimples on lip.
1Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal changes in the body during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, stress, etc. can give rise to these pimples on lips, face, body, thighs etc.
2Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Pimples on lips or a pimple inside your lips are the main symptom of a sexually transmitted disease known as Herpes. These lip pimples are large and painful and it is also difficult to get rid of these without medication.
3Genetic Factors
Sometimes, the genetic factors can also be a cause of frequent breakouts. The problem can run in the family that leads to transmission of acne causing bacteria.
4Inappropriate Diet
An inappropriate diet such as junk food or foods with too much oil can cause pimples on lips. Carbonated or caffeinated drinks and alcoholic beverages tend to cause breakouts.
5Oily/Greasy Skin
Oily skin is one of the major reason that activates the production of sebaceous glands. It also triggers infection and results in infected pimples. Oily skin is prone to pimples. If you have an oily skin it means you are inclined to get pimples more often.Pimples are less likely to appear on the dry or sensitive skin.
6Excessive Smoking
Another reason for having pimples around the mouth or a pimple around the lip line is smoking. It has been observed that smokers tend to have pimples on lips more than non-smokers.
7Ingrown Hair
A pimple can also form due to an ingrown hair follicle. The hair follicle gets infected and result in the formation of a pimple.
8Increased Stress Level
Taking too much stress can also be a cause of pimples. Such pimples can appear on any part of the body or face including pimples around the lips.
9Poor Hygiene
Poor hygiene can also lead to a pimple on lips. When you don’t clean and exfoliate your lips regularly, it can lead to the formation of dead skin that can cause pimples around the lips.
10Inexpensive Makeup Products
Low-quality lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balms contain B-grade chemical ingredients that can cause bacterial infection and leads to lip zits.
11Allergic Reactions With Products
If you feel that by using a certain lip product you get pimples on your lips then this might indicate an allergic reaction with the ingredients of that lip product. Anyone can develop such allergies so discontinue the use of the product if you find such product.
12Use Of Expired Lip Products
There are many lip products available in the market such as lipsticks, lip balms, lip gloss, lip crayons etc. Continue use of any product once it gets expired can be a cause of such pimples on lips or pimples on lip line.
13Lip Piercing
Some people pierce upper, lower or side of the lips. This can develop an infected pimple or a bump that can be caused due to bacteria.
Your lips are very delicate and sensitive, and any sore on the lip can make it extremely difficult for you to eat or drink. Especially, when something salty or spicy comes in contact with it, it can burn and irritate a lot.
14Corticosteroids
The presence of Corticosteroids in your medicine can also be a cause of mouth pimples.
Home Remedies For Pimple On Lips
Following are some tips that you can make use of when you have a pimple growing on your lip:
1. Apply Neem Paste On Lips
Neem is a plant known for the benefits that it provides for treating acne and pimple. You can take 2 neem leaves, grind them with a few drops of water to make it a concentrated paste.
Apply this paste over the effected area and let it sit for 10 mins. After 10 mins gently wipe your lips with a piece of cloth dipped in lukewarm water. After 2 applications you can see the pimple fading.
2. Use Of Alovera Gel Extraction
Use of aloe vera gel on the inflamed pimple can also reduce the redness and pain. Take a fresh piece of aloe vera and wash it with water. Afterward, cut the leaves to extract the aloe vera gel. Now apply the extraction directly onto the lips to help the pimple heal. It will also provide moisture and nourishment to the lips.
3. Turmeric Paste On Lip Pimple
Turmeric has the healing & curing properties and this is why it is a staple kitchen product for treating acne and pimple issues. You can make a paste of turmeric by adding either lemon juice or skim milk to form it in a paste that can be easily applied to the lips. Let it dry for 5 to 10 mins and then wash it off. Remember to use turmeric in less quantity otherwise, it will leave a yellow tint on your lips.
4. Crushed Coffee Beans For Lip Treatment
You can crush the Coffee Beans to form a powder and then mix it with a drop of water. Apply the mixture on the lips to help the pimple heal with the antioxidant properties of the coffee bean.
5. Apply Olive Oil To Get Rid of Pimple
Apply olive oil on the pimple and see it vanish very soon. Use lip makeup that contains olive oil and try to avoid coconut oil as it clogs air pores.
6. Treat Pimples On Lip With Toothpaste
Applying toothpaste on pimples also helps to soothe and gives a cooling effect. The toothpaste tends to dry out a pimple on lips.
7. Apply Citrus Based Fruits On Pimples
To treat pimples around the lip line you can also use fruits that contain alpha hydroxyl acids in abundance. Topical application of such fruits includes oranges, lemons, grapefruits, grapes or apples.
8. Try Herbal Treatment
Herbs contain a plethora of benefits as they are all natural. You can try herbs such as eucalyptus, basil or licorice root powder that are packed with anti-inflammatory properties. Such herbs can help to soothe as well as heal a pimple quickly.
9. Drink Plenty Of Water
Remember to fulfill your daily nutrient requirements. You should know how many ounces of water should I drink a day. You can read about it in this post.
In short, drink as much water as you can as it detoxifies your body by washing away toxic substances from the body. Squeeze half lemon juice in warm water and drink it in the morning.
10. Almond Scrub For Exfoliation
Soak 3 to 4 almonds in water and leave it overnight. Next day, peel the almonds and grind them with just a few drops of milk. The paste should not be runny nor tough to apply. You need to apply and scrub lips for only 1 minute with light circular motions. Do not scrub the lips with a harsh hand as it can aggravate the pain. This remedy will help to keep the lips soft and supple.
11. Remain Stress-Free
Stress is one of the causes of pimple formation. When your body is under stress, it produces stress hormones known as adrenaline and cortisol. According to researchers, the cells that produces sebum have receptors for hormones associated with stress. This is why you get acne and pimples when you feel anxiety or stress. Just be sure not to take too much stress as it can increase the likelihood of breakouts.
How To Remove Pimples Fast?
1. Keep Your Hands Away From Pimples
Your hands contain lots of bacteria and germs that can penetrate into a pimple and make it sorer. Touching pimples frequently with hands can also result in getting infected pimples.
It is better to keep your hands away from your face. In this way, you can keep your skin and mouth away from germs.
2. Apply Hot or Cold Compress (How To Pop Lip Pimple?)
If you have swollen lip then at home pimple treatment would be to apply warm or cold compresses to help the pimple sooth. You can apply a hot compress on your pimple on a lip by following the method below:
- To treat lip pimples, take a clean piece of cloth, dip it in lukewarm water, squeeze the piece of cloth to remove excess water. Afterward, apply it on the pimple.
- Tap the warm cloth on the pimple for 10 to 20 seconds. Repeat the process as required.
- This pimple on lip treatment will help to reduce the appearance of a pimple on the lip, reduce inflammation and also soothes it.
- At times, a cold compress also works great. You can also repeat the above procedure with cold water or use an ice pack. Else, take an ice cube, roll it in tissue paper or a piece of cloth and then apply ice on the affected area to reduce the inflammation.
3. Avoid Applying Makeup Products
When you have pimples around lips avoid the temptation to apply any makeup as makeup can clog pores, blocking the air and making the pimple even worse.
It is better to use a natural organic tint such as beetroot juice. It gives a natural tint to your lips so you don’t need to apply lips stick or lip gloss.
4. Take Care of Lip Hygiene
Many of us do not bother about the hygiene of our lips. Lips are a delicate part of the body so they require extra care. You can follow the below tips to keep your lips clean and free of germs.
- Don’t touch your lips with dirty hands or fingers otherwise, the bacteria or germs will transfer to your lips causing pimples around the lips or even mouth pimples.
- While eating food, don’t let oil from food to stick on your lips; wipe it off immediately after eating something oily.
- Remember to exfoliate twice a week to remove any dead skin over the lips.
How To Protect Your Lips From Pimples?
It is important to take care of your lips as they are the prominent feature on your face. You can protect your lips from pimples by following some simple methods.
- Ensure proper hygiene. Cleanse and exfoliate your lips daily. Exfoliation is very important as it removes dead skin cells from around the lips, decreasing the chance of pimples.
- Be very cautious while buying cosmetic products. Get good quality products that don’t cause infection and irritation. In lip, makeup prefers products that contain olive oil.
- Eat healthy and drink lots of water. A balanced diet that contains all important nutrients and rich in vitamins can help to prevent pimple on lip.
- Avoid smoking and caffeine products such as tea, coffee, sodas as these tend to aggravate acne and skin related issues.
A pimple on lips can be quite tricky to deal with. If you scratch it and pop it at the wrong time, it can leave a scar or a depression in that particular area, which is a whole new problem.
If you are too impatient to wait for a pimple to go by itself and you want to pop it, do it very carefully otherwise the consequences never seems favorable!