Dark Spot on Lip: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - Verywell Health
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A dark spot on the lip may appear for a variety of reasons. It may be due to sun exposure, vitamin deficiency, hormone-related issues, and even an excess of iron in the body. Sometimes, a dark spot can also be a skin cancer symptom, requiring immediate attention.
This article will discuss the causes of dark spots on the lips, diagnosis, treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Causes of a Dark Spot on the Lips
A dark spot on the lips can be due to various causes. Some of these are harmless, and the spot can be faded with appropriate treatment. Other causes (like skin cancer) are more dangerous and require immediate attention.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation can cause dark spots or patches on the skin anywhere on the body. Among people with darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation is one of the most common reasons to see a dermatologist (a specialist in skin conditions).
Several factors can cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots. These include:
- Hormonal changes in the body, like during pregnancy
- A healed wound that was caused by a burn, cut, or insect bite
- Irritation from a skin care product
- A healed pimple
- Certain medications
- Irritation from hair care products
- Psoriasis (an autoimmune inflammatory skin condition) that has healed
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosis is a condition in which the body absorbs and stores an excessive amount of iron. This condition can cause problems like pain, fatigue, and problems with liver function. It can also cause issues with the skin.
In 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. When lips are dry due to dehydration, it can be a common impulse to lick, pick or bite them. But this can make the lips more dry and irritated.
Constant irritation and inflammation caused by lip licking may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, causing dark spots on the lips.
Sunspots
Also known as age spots, these dark marks may occur in parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. Common areas for sunspots include the face or hands.
It is important to see a dermatologist to determine if a dark spot on the lip is a sunspot, as they can have a similar appearance to skin cancer. Mistakenly attempting to fade a spot that is actually skin cancer and not an age spot can cause more harm, as it gives the cancer time to grow and spread.
Angiokeratoma
Angiokeratomas are dark lesions that appear on the skin, caused by the widening of the skin's capillaries (the smallest blood vessels). 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. They may also be associated with complications. These include:
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Thrombosis (clots)
- Bleeding
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
In rare cases, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can cause hyperpigmentation. This may also be accompanied by many other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
In some cases, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in anemia. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Irritability
- Visual disturbances
- Depression
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Red tongue
- Sore tongue
- Changes to behavior
- Changes to walking and movement
- Pins-and-needles sensations
- Changes to thoughts or feelings
- Difficulties with memory
- Difficulties with cognition, including judgment or understanding of concepts
- Yellow tinge to the skin
Smoking
Among other complications, smoking can cause dark spots on the skin and lips. This is referred to as smoker's melanosis.
Smoking commonly causes pigmentation on the gums, palate, and lips, as well as other areas on the front of the body, like the face.
Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid is 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, including melasma.
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. These include:
- Deep cracks and scales on dry skin
- Yellow or orange color to the palms or soles of the feet
- Reddening of the palms
- Flushing in the face
- Darker skin in the mouth, gums, or creases of the palms
- Reddish spots on the skin
- Swollen face
- Wounds that are slow to heal
Certain Medications
Marks on the skin that are caused by medications are referred to as drug-induced pigmentation.
Some of the types of drugs that can cause this include:
- Antimalarial drugs
- Analgesic pain-relievers, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)
- Antiretrovirals
- Antimicrobials, including tetracyclines
Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction can cause marks around the lips. The medical term for this is allergic contact cheilitis.
Common triggers for this include:
- Flavorings
- Fragrances
- Cosmetic ingredients
- Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can take the form of a dark spot. Nonmelanoma skin cancer—cancer that does not begin in cells that produce pigmentation—can cause spots on the skin that may grow for months to years. They may also look like a sore that won't heal in three months.
Melanoma skin cancer can cause spots, lumps, or markings that may change color, shape, or size. Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that appears as a black or brown spot. While just 4% of skin cancers are melanoma, 79% of deaths related to skin cancer are due to melanoma.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Whenever you find a suspicious-looking spot on your skin, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. A skin specialist can help determine if the spot is skin cancer or something else and treat it appropriately.
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 a skin biopsy. In this procedure, a sample of tissue is removed from the spot to be analyzed in the laboratory.
If not skin cancer, a dermatologist will be able to help identify other causes of a dark spot on the lip.
Treatment
There are many possible causes of a dark spot on the lip, and treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.
Possible treatment options include, but are not limited to:
- Increased water intake for dehydrated, dry lips
- Adjustment of medications
- Sunscreen
- Change of personal hygiene products
- Products containing vitamin C or glycolic acid
- Medications
- Medical procedures
Summary
There are numerous potential causes for a dark spot on the lips. Some possible causes include skin cancer, a vitamin B12 deficiency, excessive iron in the body, thyroid disorders, smoking, age spots, and dehydration. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to see a specialist such as a dermatologist.
Treatment options will vary based on the underlying cause but may include lifestyle factors like improving hydration and changing personal hygiene products, medications, or medical procedures.
A Word From Verywell
A dark spot on the lip may look annoying but can also be a sign of an underlying condition that requires attention.
Any time you are worried about a spot on your skin, you should consider making an appointment with a dermatologist. They will be able to help diagnose the cause of the mark and advise the best treatment option.
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