Pimples can appear anywhere, including on the lips. This skin problem can interfere with appearance to the point of causing pain when inflamed. Check out the following article to find out the causes and how to treat acne on the lips.
Acne is a skin problem that occurs due to blockages in the hair follicles on the surface of the skin which contain sebum and dead skin cells. Usually acne will appear in areas that have a lot of oil glands, such as the face, neck, back, chest, shoulders, and shoulders.
Causes of Pimples on Lips
Oil glands will naturally produce sebum or skin's natural oil which is useful for lubricating hair and skin. But if excessive, sebum and dead skin cells can accumulate in the hair follicles and clog them. This skin condition is an ideal place for bacterial growth. When this happens, inflammation will appear which eventually causes acne.
In addition to acne, there are also skin problems that are prone to appear around the lips, namely herpes simplex virus infection. This disease is characterized by lumps or blisters on the lips that generally appear in groups on an area of the skin surface. At first glance, these bumps may look like a bunch of pimples.
Difference Between Acne and Herpes Simplex
What distinguishes the two is that acne can appear in other areas of the body, while herpes simplex tends to appear in only one area. Herpes simplex usually appears in the mouth or pubic area.
Apart from the location, there are several other factors that differentiate between acne and herpes, namely:
- Herpes tends to itch and sting all along, while pimples usually hurt only when touched or squeezed.
- Herpes looks like skin blisters and contains clear fluid, while acne appears as lumps filled with blackheads or pus.
- Relentless herpes always appears in groups. This is different from acne that grows at one or several points.
- Herpes simplex can be transmitted to other people, while acne is not.
The appearance of boggy herpes on the lips can be followed by other symptoms of herpes simplex, namely fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and painful swelling of the lymph nodes around the neck. While acne on the lips is not accompanied by these symptoms.
Risk Factors for Acne on lips
There are several things that can increase a person's risk of developing acne on the lips or other parts of the body. These risk factors include:
- Oily skin type.
- Bacterial infection of the skin.
- Hormonal changes, for example during puberty or increased androgen hormone levels.
- heredity factor.
- Side effects of medications, such as corticosteroids, lithium, epilepsy or anticonvulsant medications, and testosterone.
- Foods that cause acne include those that contain milk, chocolate, and high sugar or carbohydrates.
- Excessive stress and lack of sleep.
- Skin irritation, for example due to the use of soap made from harsh chemicals or certain cosmetics.
- Exposure to pollution, dust and dirt.
How to Overcome Pimples on Lips
By staying away from some of the risk factors above, you can avoid annoying acne. However, if pimples on the lips or other body parts have already appeared, there are several steps you can take to overcome them.
Here are some tips and ways to deal with acne:
1. Wash your face and hair regularly
Get in the habit of washing your face twice a day with a mild and gentle soap. In addition, don't forget to wash your hair with shampoo if your hair feels oily, because oily hair can trigger acne on your face and scalp.
2. Berhbe careful in muserka facial cleansing product
Use of certain skin care products, such as scrub, soaps, masks, and astringent face, it can cause irritation that triggers acne. To determine which products are suitable for use according to skin type, you can consult a dermatologist.
3. Using acne medication
Use acne medications that contain benzoyl peroxide, sulfur (sulfur), resorcinol, or salicylic acid to reduce excess oil production.
4. Be more selective in choosing beauty products
Choose cosmetic products that are water-based or oil-free to reduce the appearance of acne. These oil-free beauty products are usually labeled "non-comedogenic".
5. No squeezing a pimple
Pimples that appear on the lips or face sometimes make us tempted to squeeze them. However, squeezing pimples is not recommended, because it can cause infection of the skin, make acne worse, and leave acne scars.
For herpes simplex, the treatment is with adequate rest, taking pain relievers if needed, and taking antiviral drugs that can be obtained with a doctor's prescription.
If the acne on the lips does not improve or recurs frequently, you should consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment and skin care to prevent it from reappearing.