Sores on the lips always cause discomfort. Wounds can appear on the outer or inner side of the lip, as well as in the corners of the mouth.

Treatment should be carried out immediately, after consulting with a doctor. But we all know that the best treatment is prevention.

The most common diseases associated with rashes on the lips are:

• Zayedy;
• Herpes;
• Stomatitis.

Zayedy

Zaedy is an erosion that appears in the corners of the mouth (the corner of the lips) in the form of small bubbles. The symptoms when a sore appeared on the lip are simple. It is accompanied by an unpleasant itch, which causes the main discomfort.

Bubbles as a result of mechanical action on them break and form wounds that bleed. A crust forms on the wounds. During a conversation, eating, it bursts. This causes cracks in the lips, which aggravates the disease.

What caused the sores, their diagnosis

In medicine, seizures are referred to as angular cheilitis. The disease is caused by microorganisms that are constantly in the mouth area. If a person is healthy, then seizures do not bother. In case of an immune imbalance, they begin to attack.

The main reasons for the appearance of a jam:

• Seasonal diseases;
• Hypovitaminosis;
• Diabetes;
• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• Failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene;
• Fungal candidiasis infection.

The disease is diagnosed on the basis of laboratory tests. It is difficult to establish angular cheilitis only by external signs.

Initially, it is necessary to exclude the presence of candidiasis, to find out the level of hemoglobin, leukocytes, ESR and blood sugar. Angular cheilitis is possible with diseases such as syphilis, HIV infection.

With an inflammatory process or activation of viruses in the body, it is necessary to treat not only seizures, but also the underlying disease. Only an integrated approach can localize the sore. Otherwise, a relapse is possible in the near future.

Zayed treatment

Angular cheilitis is treated with an ointment. If the nature of the sore is viral, then herpevir or acyclovir will help. With fungal infection - clotrimazole, stomatidine. With a bacterial disease, tetracycline, trimistin will cope well.

Folk remedies will be a good help in treatment. Echinacea, onions, bee products, herbal infusions of a tonic nature will help restore the body. But taking drugs and medicines must be approved by a specialist.

During the treatment of sores - jam, you need to follow some recommendations:

1. You can't lick your lips.
2. You need to quit smoking.
3. Use only special cosmetics.
4. Follow a diet (exclude spicy and sour, enrich the diet with foods that contain riboflavin).
5. Treat the sore with fucorcin (2-3 r. per day) or tea tree oil.

Herpes

Herpes is viral infection, which affects 90% of the world's population.

Once infected with it, a person remains its carrier forever. Herpes is not curable. It is either latent or aggravated.

During its activation, rashes appear on the lips, which are accompanied by itching.

Also, a person may experience fluctuations in body temperature, a decrease in efficiency.

Causes and frequency of the course of the disease

Causes of herpes:

• Overheating or hypothermia of the body;
• Stress;
• immune imbalance;
• Transferred seasonal diseases.

Infection with herpes occurs by airborne droplets, through kisses, the use of common cutlery (non-sterile spoons and forks). Even a child can get the virus while in the womb.

Herpes can make itself known 1-2 times a year. This is considered the norm. The prolonged absence of symptoms indicates the body's homeostasis. More than 6 relapses per year indicates an imbalance in the immune system.

With such a frequency of sores on the lips, it is imperative to undergo a complete examination in order to identify the cause of the systematic appearance of herpes.

What to treat?

Herpes is a disease that can be treated with medication, or you can use folk methods. If the sore pops up very rarely on a small area of ​​​​the lip, then you can use the grandmother's advice.

At the first appearance of itching, it is necessary to lubricate the lip area with earwax. The procedure is carried out once or twice - and the symptoms disappear. You can use tea tree oil, Kalanchoe juice.

Garlic is considered an effective remedy. Having made a fresh cut, you just need to rub your lip with it in the place where itching is felt. After a while, unpleasant symptoms should disappear.

If it is impossible to cope with the disease and herpes begins to appear on the lip, then you need to see a doctor. It is also recommended to be observed by a specialist if the sore bothers you very often.

As a rule, acyclovir, valtrex, tebrofen, farmciclovir are prescribed for successful treatment. The dose and duration of the drug are prescribed by the doctor.

In severe cases of the disease, it is possible to use complex treatment using etiotropic antiherpetic drugs, interferon inducers, immunomodulators of cellular immunity.

• Stick to proper nutrition;
• Lead healthy lifestyle life;
• If a sore has already appeared, then in no case do not peel off the crust from it.

Stomatitis

Many people associate stomatitis with oral disease. This is right. But sometimes the sore appears on the inside of the lip. It looks like a small ulcer or aphthae of a white, gray or red hue.

There may be several such white sores. They cause discomfort in the form of pain symptoms during brushing your teeth, eating.

Why does stomatitis appear on the lip

Causes of stomatitis:

• Failure to comply with hygiene rules;
• Mechanical damage to the oral mucosa;
• Failure of the endocrine system;
• The presence of diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract;
• Stress;
• Improper nutrition, which leads to a lack of B vitamins in the body;
• Allergy to food.

Treatment of stomatitis

Before starting the treatment of a sore, it is imperative to visit a doctor to confirm the diagnosis, determine the cause of the disease. Together with the doctor, you can discuss the possibility of treatment not only with drugs, but with folk remedies.

The main task of the entire treatment is to remove aphthae and properly process them with furacilin. The procedure is done 2 times a day. As a disinfectant, you can additionally use decoctions of calendula, St. John's wort, chamomile.

For this purpose, the necessary herbs are taken and poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 1. The infusion is filtered in a day and boric alcohol is added.

If 1 cup of herbs and 1 cup of boiling water is taken, then 1 tsp of boric alcohol is needed. A cotton swab is wetted in the solution, and the sores are rubbed with it.

FAQ

Question: Herpes is very common. I heard that there is an anti-herpetic vaccine. How effective is it?

Answer: At the University of Washington, there were Scientific research on the use of anti-herpetic vaccines. Its effectiveness has not been verified. In Western countries, the vaccine is not used.

Question: I have a sore - herpes on the lip. There was severe swelling of the lips. So maybe?

Answer: Yes, with herpes, swelling of the lips can occur. It will come off on its own after the herpes passes.

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Question: A weeping sore on the lip does not go away for a long time - about a year. I tried different ointments, nothing helps. Disappears for a while in one place and reappears in another after a short time.

Answer: Seek immediate medical attention. Only tests will help determine the true cause of the disease. It is possible that the reason is quite serious. Don't delay your visit to the doctor.

Probably, every person has at least once had sores on the inside of the lip, which look like a small blister. As a rule, they do not cause danger to humans, but they indicate the presence of a disease in the body. And therefore, if you find yourself, you should immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment, as they cause discomfort and often pain when eating food.

As a rule, there can be many reasons for the appearance of sores on the lips: these are infections, viruses, fungi, and stomatitis. In some cases this may be side effect from taking medications or having dental surgery. The causes of formations on the lips in children and adults may differ. So, the provoking factors for the formation of sores on children's lips can be called the following:

• chickenpox
• scarlet fever
• diphtheria
• dirty hands
• herpes
• candidiasis

Most often, wounds on the lips appear as a result of stomatitis, in which case they are called aphthae. Initially, a white bubble appears, which eventually bursts. At its center is formed white sore with redness around the edges. With the same signs, sores appear due to herpes. The main causes of stomatitis and herpes are the following:

• poor hygiene
• weathering
• immunodeficiency
• cracks due to damage to the mucosa
• burn of the mouth
• viral infections against the background of a cold
• allergic reaction
• periadenitis
• gastrointestinal diseases

But still, one of the common causes of the appearance of a sore on the lip can be called its bite. As a rule, after that, a whitish formation appears on the mucous membrane, which hurts and causes discomfort to a person. Very often, a sore on the lips appears due to infection of another person. A common situation is when an adult has stomatitis on his lip, he kisses his child and he also has a wound.

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How to suspect pathology on the lips

As a rule, it is very difficult to miss the appearance of a sore on the lip, as it makes itself felt with painful symptoms. Initially, pain and redness appear at the site of the sore, which turns into inflammation. Before a white formation with red edges appears, a swelling forms.

In order for the sore to pass as soon as possible, you need not to touch it, do not damage or scratch it. For a person with stomatitis, you need to allocate a separate towel and dishes so that his household does not catch the disease.

Methods for treating sores on the lips

As a rule, sores on the mucous membranes disappear over a long period of time, but if they persist for more than 2 weeks, then you should consult a doctor. After it appears in the mouth, proper care of the oral cavity must be carried out so that healing occurs as soon as possible. you need to regularly rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide or soda with water. When brushing your teeth, care must be taken not to damage the sores, as they are painful. In no case should you rinse your mouth with alcohol tinctures, as this will only aggravate the irritation.

It is worth consulting a doctor or self-treatment

After the appearance of a sore in the mouth, it is recommended to visit a doctor in order to understand the cause of its occurrence and begin treatment. If this is not the first time for you, and you know the reason for the formation, then you need to act according to the methods that the attending physician prescribed to you earlier. Most often, when ulcers appear, you need to consult a dentist and. If the ulcer appeared on the lip of the child, then it is necessary to show it to the pediatrician.

It must be remembered that medical therapy will be effective only if it is carried out on time. Otherwise, the infection will spread and can lead to various complications. It is difficult to identify the disease on your own, and therefore a visit to the doctor should be mandatory.

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Medical treatment

Basically, the treatment consists in eliminating the infection and the disease of which the sore in the mouth became a symptom. Also, do not forget about anti-inflammatory drugs and mouthwashes. The main treatment is to anesthetize the problem area and relieve inflammation.

After detecting a sore on the lip, disinfection should be carried out immediately. A solution of furacilin is well suited for this. To do this, you need to dissolve two tablets in a glass of warm water and treat the affected area of ​​​​the lip with a solution 3-5 times a day. Depending on the form and stage of the disease caused, the doctor may prescribe the use of such drugs:

• immunomodulatory drugs
• vitamins
• antihistamines

Basically, the treatment is selected depending on the type of causative agent of the wound. In the event that the temperature rises, the doctor may prescribe antipyretic drugs. Doctors prescribe ointments not only to treat wounds on the outside of the lip, but also on the inside.

by the most effective means you can call Acyclovir and alizarin ointment. In order to relieve burning and pain, the doctor may recommend Lidochlor gel, in the absence of an allergic reaction.

Folk methods from a similar problem

Stomatitis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by an infection and accompanied by the appearance of sores and aphthae. But in some cases, the disease does not affect the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, palate and tongue, but manifests itself on the lips. And this happens quite often due to the large number of provoking reasons.

Any injury to the thin and delicate skin of this area, thermal or chemical burns, chapping, etc. can lead to the appearance of stomatitis on the lip. Through microtraumas, a different kind of infection that causes stomatitis enters the body.

It can also occur against the background of other diseases - diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system, disorders of the hematopoiesis or endocrine system, allergic reactions, general intoxication of the body or other infections. The disease also appears due to poor oral hygiene.

Types of stomatitis on the lips

Depending on what kind of infection caused stomatitis on the lip, or what are the causes of its occurrence, the types of this disease also differ.

Although the basic principles of the treatment of stomatitis remain unchanged depending on its variety, they still contain nuances, depending on the type of disease, that affect the success of therapy.

Herpetic stomatitis

The herpes virus is one of the most common causes of human infection, and it is stomatitis that becomes the first messenger of infection. Herpetic stomatitis on the lips is a bubble filled with a clear liquid, localized on the mucosa.

Photo: Herpetic stomatitis on the lip

The bubbles burst and a crust or sore remains in their place. If the rashes appear in groups, then after their rupture, very painful extensive erosions remain. A harbinger of herpetic eruptions on the lip is a feeling of tingling, burning or itching in this area.

Candidal stomatitis

Stomatitis, which is caused by a fungus of the genus Candida, which by its nature is a normal component of the normal microflora, but becomes pathogenic under adverse factors.

Candidiasis or fungal stomatitis is externally manifested primarily by a white coating on the mucous membrane of the lips, which gradually increases in volume, but is easily removed.

Under the whitish coating, an inflamed, bright pink or even red surface is found.

Aphthous sores on the inside of the lip

Aphthae or small ulcerations on the inside of the lip are not uncommon. These sores initially appear as blisters that burst very quickly and leave in place round, painful sores with red edges and a white center.

In addition to such sores, aphthous stomatitis has other symptoms - fever up to high values, increased sensitivity in the mouth, bleeding and swelling of the gums.

Video: aphthous stomatitis

Allergy

One of the most common stomatitis is contact allergic, which occurs from constant contact of oral tissues with allergenic objects or drugs.

For example, dentures often lead to allergic stomatitis.

If a person is allergic, then any substances that come into contact with it can cause rashes on the mucous membrane of the lips. Provoke such stomatitis can and medications intended for resorption or used during dental treatment.

Outwardly, the disease is manifested by swelling and redness of the tissues, the mucous membrane of the lips becomes smooth and shiny. There are many bubbles, they merge into large foci of inflammation, and after bursting they form ulcers or erosion.

Video: what you need to know about allergies

bacterial infection

One of the main causes of this disease is bacterial infection. If there are wounds or injuries on the skin or mucous membrane of the lips, it is easy for infections to enter the body.

But of the variety of existing bacteria, only a few cause stomatitis - mainly staphylococci and streptococci. Sometimes streptococci are first infected, and then staphylococci also join them.

Also, stomatitis on the lip can be caused by spirochetes, diplococci, spindle-shaped bacteria, clostridia, gonococci and other types of bacteria.

Bacterial stomatitis manifests itself as redness and swelling of the mucous membrane of the lips, cracks and ulcers appear on it, burning and itching are felt, the patient has a very bad breath, weakness and fever may occur.

Traumatic lesion

Traumatic stomatitis on the lip occurs as a result of mechanical, thermal or chemical damage to its mucosa. Poor quality or poorly fitting dentures, damage by a sharp object or sharp edges of teeth, etc. lead to chronic traumatic stomatitis.

Photo: Traumatic stomatitis on the lip

Burns, frostbite, contact with acid or alkali provoke acute traumatic stomatitis. Outwardly, this form of the disease does not differ from others, so the diagnosis is made only on the basis of the prehistory of the occurrence of rashes.

Treatment

The procedure for the treatment of stomatitis consists of local action on the inflamed areas of the skin and mucous membranes of the lips with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anesthetic agents, as well as, if necessary, general medical treatment.

Along with ready pharmaceutical preparations You can also use traditional medicine. Treatment of stomatitis on the lips should begin with the first manifestations of the disease, in order to avoid complications and to greater efficiency therapy.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

How to treat, and which drugs to use, the dentist must decide, based on the form of the disease. You should consult a doctor at the first symptoms of stomatitis or suspicion of it.

Puffiness and redness of the mucosa, which are a harbinger of the appearance of aphthae and sores, should already be the reason for going to the dentist to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Medicines

To disinfect the area of ​​​​the lips affected by stomatitis, a solution of hydrogen peroxide (1 part of peroxide to 5 parts of water) is used, which needs to be treated with rashes several times a day. Well disinfects furatsilina solution.

If the rash has also affected the outer part of the lips, then therapeutic ointments can be applied to them:

• acyclovir,
• retinol ointment,
• oxolinic ointment,
• interferon ointment (if the cause of the disease is a virus),
• antifungal ointment (if the cause is candidiasis), etc.

Photo: Antiviral ointments Acyclovir and Zovirax

Photo: Antifungal ointments Lamisil and Nystatin ointment

General therapy may include antibiotics, antiviral drugs, immunomodulators or multivitamin complexes for a general increase in immunity and body resistance. An integrated approach allows you to quickly defeat this disease.

Folk recipes

With stomatitis of such localization, regular lotions with decoctions or infusions of medicinal herbs - chamomile, succession, calendula (you can make a mixture of such herbs), to which a little boric acid is added (4 grams per 1 cup) help well.

You can get rid of stomatitis if cut aloe leaves are applied to the ulcers with the side with pulp. It is also advised to lubricate aphthae with Kalanchoe juice. Alcohol tincture of propolis has high disinfecting properties, with a solution of which it is necessary to wipe the affected tissues.

Also ethnoscience suggests applying mashed strawberries to the sores after disinfecting their surface, which should clean them and promote healing.

Video: Kalanchoe from stomatitis

Treatment of stomatitis on the lips of a child

Since stomatitis is accompanied by painful sensations, the child may refuse to eat, so it is necessary to start treatment in children with nutrition correction.

All food should be mashed, soft, neutral in taste and warm temperature. The best option- liquid purees that the child eats through a straw.

The treatment itself practically does not differ from adult therapy - it is aimed primarily at pain relief, then specific treatment (antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral or antibacterial action) and, if necessary, symptomatic treatment, for example, antipyretics.

Children's stomatitis must be treated under the supervision of a dentist and drugs that are prescribed by a doctor.

Video: how to treat stomatitis in a child

How to avoid the disease?

To prevent stomatitis on the lips, you must try to avoid hypothermia, do not lick your lips in the wind. It is important to unlearn the habit of biting and chewing the lips and try to avoid injury to the mucosa with foreign objects.

One of the most important preventive measures is the course intake of multivitamins.

Regular examinations at the dentist and timely treatment of carious cavities also help to avoid an increase in the bacterial background in the oral cavity. After all, persistent infections can lead to an inflammatory process on the lip.

A photo:

The following photographs show what this disease might look like:

Photo: Afta on the inside of the lip

The most delicate and sensitive part of the oral cavity is the inner side of the lips. And if suddenly an ulcer appears in this area, it is necessary to show it to the dentist. Most often, the inflammatory process begins at the border of the inner and outer parts of the lip. This is due to the fact that a large number of nerve fibers and blood vessels are localized in this place, and the skin is very thin here.

When a sore appears on the inside of the lip, it is necessary to find out the cause of its occurrence - it can be a disease or a consequence negative impact environment. In the first case, sores on the inside of the lip can be triggered by diseases of the digestive tract, endocrine, cardiovascular or other body systems. Weaken the body and cause wavka on the inside of the lip can frequent colds, flu and other infectious diseases.

Also, an ulcer inside the lip can be an allergic reaction. Frequent colds, flu and other infectious diseases greatly weaken the body and can cause a wound.

To external factors that cause inflammation on the oral mucosa include:

• lip injuries - if the integrity of the skin is damaged, an infection can enter the wound, which causes an inflammatory process;
• thermal or chemical burn of the lip;
• strong weathering;
• inadequate oral hygiene.

Chapping of the lips is one of the causes of sores on the lips.

Classification of pathology

Depending on the appearance ulcers and the causes of its occurrence distinguish several types of pathology:

1. Aphthous. A bubble appears on the inside of the lip, which bursts after some time, and an ulcer forms in its place.
2. Herpes. It is characterized by the appearance of blisters filled with a clear liquid. After the blister bursts, a white sore forms, itching and burning occur.
3. Allergic. Occurs after contact with an allergen: medicine, food or other provocateur. At the same time, the mucous membrane swells and turns red, becomes painful. Bubble formations appear, which burst very quickly, leaving behind erosion. The confluence of several erosions turns into a large ulcer.
4. Traumatic. Formed on the lip due to excessive mechanical or chemical exposure. At the site of injury, inflammation, swelling and pain occur.
5. Bacterial. In this case, the main culprit of the inflammatory process is the pathogenic microflora, which penetrates the body if there are wounds or cracks on the surface of the lips. Most often, patients become infected with staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. The patient's lip swells, bad breath appears.

aphthous ulcer

Methods of treatment

An ulcer inside the lip is treated with both traditional and non-traditional methods. The main task is to remove the inflammatory process and anesthetize the wound.

To correctly determine the cause of the sore, you need to contact your dentist. The doctor will be able to adequately assess the situation and prescribe the correct treatment. It is not worth delaying a visit to a specialist, because the lack of medical support can aggravate the situation and lead to the addition of a secondary infection. In this case, the treatment will be longer, and it will be extremely difficult to diagnose the true cause.

Anestol Kamistad Lidoxor

If the pain does not bother the patient, then you can do without taking painkillers and limit yourself to antiseptic treatment of the affected area. For this, 3% hydrogen peroxide is used, which is diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:5.

Rinses help remove plaque and have a bactericidal effect. To enhance this effect, you can use Chlorhexidine and Furacilin. It is recommended to carry out the procedure several times a day.

Chlorhexidine Furacilin

To prevent re-infection after antiseptic treatment, Levomekol or Metrogil Denta is applied to the wound. To do this, the agent is applied to a gauze swab, which is fixed on the lip and left to act for an hour.

Levomekol Metrogil-Denta

After the inflammation passes, it is necessary to regenerate the damaged tissues. To do this, use Aekol - an oil solution of vitamin E.

Sometimes an ulcer can appear not only on the inside of the lip, but also on the outside. In this case, treatment is carried out with Oxolinic, Retinoic, Interferon ointments or Acyclovir. If the lesion is of a fungal nature, then Nystatin ointment is used.

Oxolinic ointment Retinoic ointment Interferon ointment Aciclovir Nystatin ointment

Anna Losyakova

Dentist-orthodontist

It is recommended to carry out treatment under the supervision of a physician. If the tactics are correct, then you can get rid of all the unpleasant symptoms in a week. In the process, it is not recommended to eat hot and spicy food, to exclude alcohol and cigarettes.

In the video, the dentist talks about the causes and methods of treating ulcers on the lip:

Ulcers in children

AT childhood the appearance of sores on the lip is especially common. Most often, the pathology is associated with the occurrence of stomatitis. Recommendations of dentists for the appearance of ulcers

Ulcers on the lips bring a person great discomfort. To make the patient's condition not so painful, you need to adjust the diet. All food should be ground to a soft consistency. Food should not be too hot or cold, spicy, fried or smoked.

It is very important to take vitamin complexes during the treatment period in order to maintain immune system. You can not lick your lips, bite them, because this can cause a defect in the skin and lead to a complication of the disease.

If a person often has sores on the lips, it is recommended to undergo an examination and find out the cause of the pathology. Preventing the appearance of ulcers is much easier than treating them, so you need to be attentive to your health and take the necessary preventive measures in time.

Damage to the oral mucosa is not so uncommon. Given the constant contact with the environment, food and chemicals, as well as the vulnerability of the shell, it is subject to various damages. In particular, ulcers on the lips can be considered a common condition. Because of what they arise, how they manifest themselves and are treated - this is what worries most people with this problem.

The origin of ulcerative lesions of the skin and mucous membrane of the lips is very diverse. It can be both a local pathological process and a systemic one. The leading role belongs to inflammatory processes of bacterial, viral or fungal origin. But erosions and ulcers in the oral cavity can be a sign of quite serious general disorders. Therefore, among the reasons it is worth noting:

• Aphthous stomatitis.
• Simple herpes.
• Thrush (candidiasis).
• Malignant tumors (cancer).
• Blood pathology (leukemia).
• Systemic vasculitis (Behçet's disease).
• Connective tissue diseases (lupus erythematosus).
• Chronic infections (syphilis, tuberculosis, HIV).

Defects on the mucous membrane of the lips and oral cavity can also appear with leukoplakia, pemphigus, lichen planus. This phenomenon is provoked by many factors of the external and internal environment:

• Mechanical trauma (rough food, fragments of teeth, dentures, biting).
• Poor oral hygiene (caries, plaque on the tongue).
• Addictions (smoking, alcohol abuse).
• Industrial hazards (contact with benzene derivatives, acids, alkalis, fertilizers and other chemicals).
• Malnutrition (deficiency of vitamins and minerals).
• Taking medications (cytostatics, immunosuppressants).
• Exposure to radiation (radiation sickness, consequences of radiotherapy of tumors).
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (reflux esophagitis, chronic gastritis).
• Toxic-allergic reactions.
• Decreased local and general immunity.
• genetic predisposition.

Therefore, the problem of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane is not so simple as it seems at first glance. The reason may be hidden deep enough and it is not always possible to immediately determine it. That is why a thorough differential diagnosis is of utmost importance, which allows to exclude some conditions and confirm others.

The causes of ulcers on the lips and in the mouth are very diverse: from local lesions to systemic pathological processes.

Symptoms

Each disease has a certain set of signs - both non-specific and quite characteristic. And in order to identify them, a clinical examination of the patient is necessary. At the primary diagnostic stage, the doctor finds out all the complaints, details and analyzes them. To obtain objective data, examination and other physical methods (for example, palpation) are necessary.

If a sore appears in the mouth, then first of all it is necessary to determine its characteristics. Features of the local pathological process can be:

1. Type of rash elements: primary (spot, tubercle, vesicle, plaque, abrasion) and secondary (erosion, ulcer, crack, crust).
2. The size of the focus (small, large), its shape (round, polygonal) and color (red, whitish, dirty gray).
3. Surface structure (rough, smooth or grainy).
4. Localization (on the inner or outer surface of the lip, buccal mucosa, tongue, palate).
5. Prevalence (single, multiple, separate or confluent, covering almost the entire mucosa) and symmetry (unilateral or bilateral).
6. Borders (surrounded by a halo of hyperemia, clear or blurred, even or wavy).
7. Type of plaque (purulent, "curdled", fibrinous or necrotic).
8. The consistency of the base and edge (soft or dense).

It is important to determine if there are any subjective sensations from the mucosal defect. Because of it, pain, burning, itching can occur, but there are also asymptomatic cases. Not only the lips and the oral cavity are subject to examination, but also other parts of the body, because similar elements are sometimes detected there, which indicates a systemic lesion.

Aphthous stomatitis

Aphthae are erosions or ulcers on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, covered with plaque and surrounded by a strip of redness. Most often they occur on the inner surface of the lips, cheeks and lateral parts of the tongue. The defect has rounded outlines, smooth and soft edges, and is not prone to enlargement and fusion. The bottom is flat and covered with a white-gray bloom.

Subjectively, patients complain of pain when chewing food, a burning sensation in the mouth. Aphthous stomatitis occurs chronically, when exacerbations lasting about 10 days alternate with remissions. But the epithelialization of ulcers can be delayed, especially with necrotic, scarring or deforming forms of pathology. Protracted inflammation is often accompanied by an increase in regional lymph nodes (angular and submandibular), and sometimes with an increase in temperature.

Herpes simplex

Many have probably had to deal with herpes on the lips (“cold”). This is a viral disease. The causative agent is constantly in the body, and under favorable conditions (hypothermia, menstruation, another infection) begins to activate. Herpes simplex virus type 1 infects the skin and mucous membranes, often in the mouth area. It can also cause ulcers on the lip.

First, at the site of the alleged damage, there is a burning sensation and increased sensitivity. Then the skin or mucous membrane turns red, small elevations appear on it, transforming into bubbles with transparent contents. The latter burst over time, exposing an eroded surface, which gradually becomes covered with a crust.

Many people suffer from herpes simplex, therefore, erosion in the lip area is often associated with it.

Thrush

Thrush in the mouth often occurs in early childhood, when the body is just beginning to adapt to life in the external environment. Colonization of the oral cavity with yeast-like fungi leads to the appearance of a white coating - first on the tongue, and then in other areas. It has a curd-like consistency and is quite easy to remove. But the underlying tissues are inflamed: reddened, swollen, vulnerable. Sometimes, superficial defects of the epithelium in the form of small erosions form under the plaque. The child becomes capricious, refuses to eat, sleeps poorly, his temperature may rise.

Lip cancer

Those who have an ulcer on their lip should be very careful about this, because sometimes there is a risk of a malignant process. And although cancer of this localization is quite rare, it is still necessary to exclude such a possibility. It all starts with the appearance of a small formation resembling a nodule, wart, sore or crack in the red border of the lips (usually the lower one). It is covered with a flaky crust, which, after removal, re-forms, but even larger.

A cancerous ulcer is painless, does not have an inflammatory corolla, has dense edges, uneven outlines, is covered with decaying tissues and growths (vegetation). The patient may feel discomfort while eating, itching, often there is an increase in salivation. In later stages, nearby lymph nodes enlarge. The appearance of these signs should alert and force you to consult a doctor.

Additional diagnostics

Additional diagnostic measures are of exceptional importance for determining the cause of the lip mucosal defect. To understand why ulcers may appear, after a clinical examination, the patient should be referred to laboratory and instrumental procedures:

1. General blood and urine tests.
2. Blood biochemistry: antibodies to infections, immunogram, acute phase parameters, tumor markers, etc.
3. A smear or scraping from a mucosal defect: microscopy (bacteria, fungi, epithelial and atypical cells), culture, PCR.
4. Serological tests: ELISA, RSK, RIF, RPHA.
5. biomicroscopy.
6. Biopsy with histological examination.

Only when the nature of the pathological process, its severity and prevalence is clarified, we can talk about establishing the final diagnosis. Often, this requires the involvement of related specialists: a dentist, an infectious disease specialist, a dermatovenereologist, a rheumatologist, an oncologist.

The doctor makes a conclusion based on the clinical picture of the disease and additional research methods.

Treatment

After determining the cause of the ulcer and establishing an accurate diagnosis, the question arises of how to treat the pathology. Therapy is carried out in several directions: local and general correction (with an impact on the cause, development mechanisms and symptoms of pathology). The treatment plan is drawn up by the doctor, taking into account all the features of the disease and the patient's condition.

Local

In the treatment of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the mucosa, local forms of drugs are widely used. Various lotions, ointment applications, rinsing, irrigation, rinsing, oral baths are used. Taking into account the cause of the defect and its manifestations, the doctor may prescribe the following drugs:

1. Antiseptics (chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, iodinol, Lugol's solution).
2. Antifungal (nystatin ointment and suspension, Clotrimazole cream, Levorin).
3. Antiviral (ointment of acyclovir, Zovirax).
4. Local anesthetics (Novocaine, Lidocaine).
5. Stimulating regeneration (Solcoseryl, methyluracil ointment, Cigerol, Emparkol).

To eliminate irritating factors, timely elimination of problems with teeth is required: removal of splinters and roots, plaque, filling and grinding of sharp edges, adequate prosthetics. Food must be mechanically, thermally and chemically gentle. If a malignant and specific process was excluded during the examination, then physiotherapy can be used to accelerate healing: NO-therapy, KUF, hydrotherapy.

General

Systemic therapy is used in severe cases or when an ulcer on the lip is a sign of a general disease. In the treatment of such patients, both specific agents and drugs with a wider range of applications can be used:

• Antibiotics.
• Anti-tuberculosis.
• Antisyphilitic.
• Antihistamines.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Immunomodulators.
• Vitamins and microelements.

Sometimes patients require fluid therapy and detoxification. With neurotic reactions, medications with a sedative effect and antidepressants are indicated. The criteria for recovery are: the healing of defects and the restoration of the structure of the mucous membrane, the normalization of laboratory parameters, the absence of other signs of the disease. If conservative therapy does not bring results within 2 weeks, then they resort to surgical excision of the focus with further histological examination of the tissue.

Ulcers on the inner or outer surface of the lips are quite common. But their origin in different patients can be radically different. To find out the cause of the mucosal defect, you should consult a doctor. Only a specialist will conduct a high-quality diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.