Herpes simplex virus (Herpes simplex virus, Human herpesvirus, HSV, HSV, herpes zoster) is a disease that has been known to mankind since ancient times. The name “herpes” itself is of Greek origin and is translated as “to crawl,” which fully corresponds to the symptoms caused by this famous virus. Indeed, in the process of its development, the disease seems to “crawl” through the body, affecting internal organs and causing the appearance of clinical signs.
There are HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most often, HSV-1 occupies the facial area - one of the most favorite localizations of manifestations of herpes simplex. For this reason it is called labial (labium, labia - lips). But there are also cases when the red border of the lips is affected by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which still more often causes similar signs of the virus to appear in the genital area. From the source of the disease on the lips with dirty hands, the virus can be carried into the eyes and genitals, and vice versa - from the genitals to the lips.
The annual incidence of herpes is approximately 10 million cases. After the initial infection, the virus “hibernates” in the nerve tissues and can cause inflammation in the future.
What can cause an abscess on the lip? Possible causes and treatments
The appearance of a neoplasm in the form of a boil on the lip should at least alert you. Under no circumstances should you try to squeeze out such pustules yourself or pierce them. Otherwise, this may lead to the spread of purulent exudate throughout the adjacent soft tissues and, accordingly, to the development of complications. To understand how to get rid of such an unpleasant phenomenon, you first need to establish the cause of its occurrence. And for this it is better to contact a specialist. Read further in this article about why an abscess may appear on the inside or outside of the lip and what to do about it.
Possible complications of abscesses
If you squeeze out an abscess on the lip incorrectly, or if you do not adequately treat a purulent wound, the risk of its increase in size and generalization of infection increases.
Complications are divided into 3 groups:
- arising directly in the area of pus on the lip, these include phlegmon - an erysipelas inflammatory process with the spread of infection and extensive damage to the epidermis on the face;
- covering other nearby areas (the development of phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, lymphadenitis, lymphangitis in the cervical region may be observed);
- generalized, in which pus from the lower or upper lip spreads through the bloodstream to distant organs and systems of the body.
The latter negative consequences are considered the most dangerous and in some cases can lead to death. Due to the generalization of the infection, the development of pyoderma, osteomyelitis, bacterial damage to internal organs, and abscesses within the body can occur.
Intracranial complications of an upper lip abscess include meningitis, meningoencephalitis, brain abscess, toxicoinfectious edema of the meninges, and cavernous sinus thrombosis.
In the photo there is an abscess of the lower lip:
Types of ulcers that may appear on the lip
The formation of a boil on the upper or lower lip is usually preceded by swelling and moderate pain. In the first couple of days, swelling and redness occur. Following them, a bubble with an abscess appears. Typically, patients complain of pain when trying to touch the tumor. If you do not respond to the symptom in time and do not start treatment, the boil will begin to fester. Sometimes, along with other symptoms, the patient’s health noticeably worsens and the temperature rises.
When herpes occurs, swelling appears
If this is a manifestation of herpes, then a blister with a clear liquid usually appears on the lip, which becomes covered with a crust after 3-4 days. This also causes itching, a feeling of tightness and pain. It is easier to stop an exacerbation of a viral infection if you start treatment at the reddening stage.
“Oh, I’m already tormented with this herpes. As soon as you get into a draft, it immediately pops up on your lip. All my life I have been saving myself with Acyclovir, as for me, they haven’t come up with anything better. By the way, regular toothpaste dries well, a proven old-fashioned method.”
Lenka1989, from correspondence on the woman.ru forum
Aphtha is an abscess inside the lip. Such rashes usually appear on the mucous membrane, and can be recognized by their white heads. As a rule, this is a sign of aphthous stomatitis, which can develop in both adults and children. In this case, neoplasms can be localized not only on the lips, but also on the inside of the cheeks and even on the tongue.
This is what aftas look like
Sometimes a lipoma is mistaken for a boil, but this is a pathological phenomenon of a completely different nature. This is a benign neoplasm, which is a dense node that forms inside the soft tissue. Essentially, this is a cavity filled with dead epithelial cells and fatty contents. Its removal is carried out surgically.
Symptoms
Symptoms of ulcers, or in other words, aphthae, are expressed. In most cases, a bubble appears first, which is invisible because it is inside the mouth, but can be felt on the tongue. After a while it bursts, releasing a small amount of clear liquid. Then a white round spot forms in this place, which does not bother you at first.
Ulcerations on the oral mucosa occur as a result of stomatitis, mechanical damage and common diseases.
The development of pathology will be indicated by characteristic rashes filled with liquid.
Symptoms are complemented by painful sensations, the formation of white plaque, increased temperature, and enlarged lymph nodes.
In case of injury, there is no need for treatment. If the disease occurs for other reasons, antihistamines, painkillers, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and antiseptics are prescribed.
Within a day after its appearance, redness around is noticeable. The area where the sore appeared is slightly swollen.
A person experiences discomfort because such a wound constantly rubs against the teeth and gums, thereby causing even more injury.
The characteristic symptoms of such ulcers are a reaction to any type of food. Spicy, sour, hot food irritates the aphthae, brings discomfort and causes significant pain.
Depending on the origin of the ulcers, the symptoms may be supplemented. For example, with fungal stomatitis, there will be a whitish, curd-like coating on the mucous membrane around the aphthae, and a burning sensation will also be felt.
With herpes stomatitis, several blisters may appear nearby, which then become whitish spots. In some cases, the body temperature rises, and the closest lymph nodes can increase in size.
If an ulcer on the inside of the lip does not respond to treatment with local healing drugs, it is recommended to seek help from a dentist.
A specialist can cauterize the wound with a carbon laser. Symptoms will disappear after complete renewal of the epithelium.The best results can be achieved if you undergo laser treatment within the first week after the ulcer appears.
Dental surgeon, periodontist
Tevs Maria Konstantinovna
7 years experience
With tuberculosis, reddish seals first form on the mucous membrane of the lips, and then they transform into whitish sores.
Why an abscess is dangerous - causes and possible complications
Sometimes an abscess on the lip appears as a consequence of a banal microtrauma of the skin. In such a situation, the symptom can be provoked by insufficient oral hygiene and the penetration of bacteria into the open wound. However, in other cases, the formation of a painful neoplasm is caused by overheating or hypothermia, stress and fatigue, disturbances in the functioning of the liver and kidneys, disruptions in the functioning of the sebaceous and sweat glands, taking potent medications, and vitamin deficiency due to a weakened immune system1.
Any neoplasm on the skin or mucous membrane carries a potential danger if you ignore it or try to remove it yourself. So, for example, with the development of herpes, there is a risk of infection spreading to surrounding tissues, reaching the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, eyes or genitals.
If the problem starts, serious complications can arise.
Inaction against the background of the development of stomatitis leads to an obvious deterioration of the patient’s condition and the development of complications. In the most severe cases, a boil on the upper lip risks leading to inflammation of the tissue near the defect, spreading the pathological process to the deep layers of the epidermis and even brain tissue. Against the background of a weakened immune system, a boil can develop into phlegmon or even an abscess. This is not a complete list of possible problems, so if suspicious symptoms appear, it is better to start treatment as quickly as possible.
Diagnostics
If you find white ulcers on the inside of your lips, you need to visit a dentist who will examine the oral cavity and give a correct assessment of the aphthae. To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor must know the following information:
- how long ago the ulcers appeared;
- whether something preceded
- what kind of injuries have you had recently;
- what diseases have you had in the past;
- whether similar ulcers have occurred before;
- whether there were similar cases among relatives.
In some cases, after a visual examination, the doctor immediately makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment. In other cases, a blood test, scraping or biopsy is additionally required.
If the dentist decides that the examination of such an ulcer is not within his competence, he will redirect the patient to other specialized specialists.
For further study of aphthae, the help of doctors such as:
- therapist;
- endocrinologist;
- gastroenterologist;
- immunologist
If ulcers occur repeatedly, the patient is able to diagnose his condition himself and begin conventional treatment, but it is still better to see a doctor.
Treatment options
The appearance of a boil on the lip usually requires complex treatment, but the cause of its occurrence must first be determined. As part of maintenance therapy, vitamin therapy is recommended to improve immunity. The doctor chooses a specific treatment vector based on the prerequisites for the appearance of the tumor:
- herpes - Acyclovir, Penciclovir or Docosanol ointments are prescribed. All of these drugs are most effective if therapy is started at the redness stage,
- aphthae - first you need to determine the type of stomatitis, and then, based on an accurate diagnosis, you can begin adequate treatment. Antiseptics Inhalipt, Actovegin or Stomatidin are usually prescribed. If it is a fungal form of the pathology, “Mikozon” or “Levorin” is prescribed; if it is an allergic form, “Suprastin” is prescribed.
- boils - local therapy is carried out using antiseptic solutions twice a day until the abscess ruptures. Compresses with Ichthyol ointment are also recommended. In some cases, the formation has to be opened in a hospital setting. Next, the wound is treated with antiseptics and ointment, for example, “Vishnevsky” is applied. Be sure to prescribe multivitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system.
For each specific case, you need to select the appropriate treatment. You
should consult a doctor if the boil has become of an impressive size, if there is a sharp deterioration in the condition, or an increase in temperature. The most important thing is not to try to open it yourself. Only a specialist can do this correctly and without the risk of undesirable consequences.
Types of rashes
A neoplasm on the mucous membrane on the outside of the lower or upper lip may have a different appearance based on the cause that contributed to its occurrence. In most cases, a preliminary diagnosis can be made based on external clinical manifestations.
White pimple
A white pustule is an omentum or a closed comedon, which does not pose a threat to the health of its owner. It is formed due to blockage of the sebaceous gland duct by keratinized epidermis or sebum.
The surface of the lip itself does not suffer:
When white pimples are localized on the outer or inner area of the lips, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, or on the tongue, we can indirectly speak of stomatitis, which requires competent therapy.
In the photo there is stomatitis on the lower lip:
Purulent abscess
Increased production of sebum, excessive accumulation of keratinized epithelium, which is complemented by the addition of a secondary infection, is characterized by the appearance of an abscess. When a white tubercle forms in the center of the neoplasm, we can talk about the complete maturation of the abscess. After the breakthrough, the damaged area begins to heal.
An abscess can also be a boil, which forms against the background of an inflammatory process in the hair follicle and nearby sebaceous glands. In common parlance they are called boils. Most often they occur in areas with vellus hair - on the face, limbs.
A serious pathology is a carbuncle - a neoplasm that forms against the background of inflammation of several hair follicles and sebaceous glands located next to each other. In addition to the nasolabial triangle, such growths appear on the neck, back, and buttocks.
Lipoma
This is not a pimple or an abscess at all, but sometimes, without understanding it, they try to squeeze it out, which is completely useless. A dense and immobile lump under the skin is considered a benign neoplasm - a lipoma, which can be localized on the outskirts of the lip. It is formed by fatty exudate mixed with dead epithelial cells.
Such growths are not dangerous, however, if they are located on the lip, there is an increased risk of injury, for example, during kissing, cosmetic manipulation, or chewing.
READ ALSO: How to relieve itching due to allergies in a child - what remedies can be used at home?
What does traditional medicine offer?
To speed up the maturation of the abscess and the healing of the wound, experts also recommend traditional medicine. But it is better to use them with the permission of a doctor. Otherwise, independent attempts to solve the problem can easily lead to the development of dangerous complications.
Thus, brewer's yeast, honey and baked onions effectively draw out purulent masses and promote the breakthrough of neoplasms. Since the appearance of ulcers on the lips is often preceded by disturbances in metabolic processes and a weakening of the body’s protective functions, first of all care should be taken to restore the immune system. Brewer's yeast contains useful components such as magnesium, zinc, calcium and iron - they help to quickly stop the pathological process and prevent its reappearance. Yeast should be taken before meals, approximately 1 hour before meals, 1 tablespoon at a time. People with hypersensitivity to the listed components and with kidney pathologies should refrain from this method.
The use of traditional medicine helps well in treatment
You can make a medicinal paste from honey. To do this, the product should be mixed with flour and a small amount of grated laundry soap in equal proportions. The result should be a substance resembling plasticine. A small ball should be applied to the boil as a compress, secured to the sore spot with a band-aid and left there for 3 hours. Another proven method that helps speed up the breakthrough of tumors is based on the use of baked onions. It is necessary to bake one head, then cut it into small pieces, wait until it cools completely, apply it to the causal area and secure it with a band-aid. It is recommended to carry out the procedure at night, leaving the compress on until the morning.
Prevention measures
To prevent the appearance of a white abscess or boil on the lip, you need to ensure a high level of oral hygiene. It is important not only to regularly brush your teeth twice a day, but also to wash your face thoroughly and use suitable skin care products. Experts include the following measures as other preventive recommendations:
- try to avoid injuries to the skin, lips and mucous membranes,
- support immunity and lead a healthy lifestyle,
- move more and be outdoors more often,
- try to eat healthy foods, more vegetables and fruits,
- give up cigarettes and reduce the amount of alcohol consumed,
- promptly respond to any signs of a pathological process.
A healthy lifestyle will help strengthen the immune system.
If a wound or abrasion appears on your lip, you need to treat it with an antiseptic solution as soon as possible. If the tumor has already begun to form and, judging by all the signs, it can grow to a significant size, it is better to immediately consult a doctor and get professional recommendations for quick and effective treatment.
1Barer G. M. Therapeutic dentistry: textbook: Part 3. Diseases of the oral mucosa, 2009.
