Canker sores on the lips have been experienced by almost everyone, regardless of age or gender. Not only does it sting, its presence can make it difficult for you to eat and drink. Although usually can subside on its own, in certain cases, the appearance of canker sores on the lips can be a sign of certain diseases.
Canker sores on the lips often cause pain. This pain occurs because the nerves that are just below the surface of the lining of the mouth are injured and inflamed. Fortunately, most canker sores on the lips are easy to treat and will subside on their own in some time.
Types of Thrush on the Lips
Canker sores on the lips are divided into three types, namely:
- Small thrush
Less than 1 cm in diameter and is the most common type. This type of thrush will usually heal within 7-10 days.
- Big thrush
It is wider and deeper with irregular edges. This type of thrush takes two weeks to months to heal and can leave scars in the mouth.
- Herpetiform
They are only about 1-2 mm in diameter, but appear in groups and last from one week to two months.
Causes of Thrush on the Lips
Canker sores on the lips can be caused by many things. Most of the causes of canker sores on the lips are not dangerous, but sometimes canker sores can also be caused by serious diseases.
The following are some of the causes of canker sores on the lips that often occur:
1. Wound
Injuries to the lips, such as when accidentally biting the lips, chewing hard food, imperfect fillings, wearing braces, brushing too hard, or wearing dentures that don't fit, can cause sores. This wound then causes canker sores on the lips.
2. Irritation of the lips
Thrush on the lips can also be triggered by using toothpaste or mouthwash that contains sodium lauryl sulfate and alcohol. Both substances are irritating, so they can cause sores on the lips.
In addition to these two chemicals, tobacco and cigarette smoke, or consuming something spicy and acidic can also cause irritation that causes canker sores on the lips.
3. Lack of nutrition
Lack of certain nutrients or nutrients can also cause canker sores on the lips. This often occurs in people who are deficient in certain nutrients, such as iron, zinc, folic acid, or vitamin B12.
4. Infection
Viral infections, including the herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster, are one of the most common causes of oral thrush. Not only that, fungal infections, bacterial infections, and sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis can also trigger canker sores in the mouth.
5. Autoimmune disease
Leukoplakia patches that attack the mucous membranes of the mouth and lichen planus which causes an itchy rash on the skin or the inside of the mouth can also cause canker sores on the lips.
Other autoimmune diseases, such as pemphigus vulgaris, rheumatoid arthritis,Crohn's disease lupus, or Behçet's disease also often experience thrush on the lips.
6. Oral cancer
One of the symptoms of oral cancer is canker sores on the lips that do not heal for several weeks. Sprue canker sores that appear can appear reddish or whitish accompanied by pain, difficulty swallowing, speaking, to numbness of the lips and mouth.
7. Medication side effects
Some types of drugs can cause side effects in the form of canker sores on the lips and mouth. The drugs in question are chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, epilepsy drugs, or corticosteroids if used long term.
In addition to these drugs, radiation therapy to the mouth and neck can also cause side effects of canker sores on the lips and mouth.
Usually, thrush on the lips does not need to be treated because it can heal itself in a week or two. However, don't hesitate to go to the doctor if the thrush on the lips makes it difficult for you to eat and drink, the canker sore is very large or quickly spreads, causes numbness in the mouth, doesn't go away after 3 weeks, or if the thrush is accompanied by fever and diarrhea.
Canker sores that appear along with the signs and symptoms above may be caused by a disease or medical condition that requires medical attention.