Blisters on the lip include cold sores, sunburn blisters, canker sores, sucking blisters, allergic reaction blisters, burn blisters, and certain other types.
Overview
A blister on the lip is a bump that is filled with fluid. Sometimes these are called bubbles on the lip. A lip blister filled with clear fluid is often referred to as a water blister.
When we talk about lip blisters, cold sores are the one thing that comes to our mind. However, a cold sore is not the only reason for blisters on the lip.
A blister on the lip that is not a cold sore can be due to other causes like sunburn, canker sores, allergic reaction, sucking, syphilis, mucocele, lip bite, burn, hand foot and mouth disease, autoimmune blistering diseases, or rarely lip cancer.
The blister can be visible when present outside on the lips, however, sometimes they are present on the inner side of the lips. While many lip blisters will go away on their own, any persistent or non-healing blisters need to be examined by a doctor.
Below you will find 14 causes of blisters on the lip, along with pictures and treatment options.
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1. Sucking blister
Sucking blisters can develop on a baby’s lips. They occur due to vigorous sucking. In some cases, it can be due to improper latch.
These are more commonly seen in breastfed babies and usually appear in the center of the upper lip.
Treatment
Sucking lip blisters usually disappear on their own. If they are persistent, the improper latch may be behind them. One can try to get a good latch so that lips don’t get pressure from sucking. A lactation counselor can help in guiding.
If the baby is bottle-fed, make sure that the nipple size and feeding position are right.
2. Cold sore (Fever blister)
Cold sores or fever blisters on lips are usually caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type-1 and in a few cases by HSV type 2.
Once infected, this virus stays inside our body. Stress, fatigue, illness, or immunosuppression can result in an outbreak. Sometimes, cold sores are referred to as stress blisters on the lip.
They result in painful blisters on the lips. A person may feel tingling or itching before these appear. These blisters heal by crusting or scabbing.
They are very contagious so one should practice good hygiene when handling cold sores.
Read more: Itchy Bumps Filled with Clear Liquid (Blister Rashes)
Treatment
Fever blisters on the lip usually go away on their own and do not necessarily require treatment. Cold compress, NSAIDs, or over-the-counter ointments may help in relieving some discomfort. However, they do not affect the healing of the lip sores.
Docosanol (Abreva) is an over-the-counter option that may help in the faster healing of cold sores. In some cases, prescription antiviral medications may be given.
3. Canker sore (Aphthous ulcers)
Canker sores usually do not form blisters but appear as small, yellow-to-white ulcers with a red border. Many lip blisters, like cold sores, form ulcers when they burst during their healing process. Therefore, canker sores become an important differential diagnosis when evaluating lip blisters.
Canker sores can occur on the floor of the mouth, inside the lips or cheeks, or on the tongue. They are painful and can cause discomfort. However, they are not contagious.
Some precipitating factors that can lead to canker sores include – stress, ill-fitting dentures, nutritional deficiency of vitamin B12, folate, iron or zinc, injury, certain medications like NSAIDs, and spicy and acidic foods.
They may also develop in association with other conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or HIV.
Treatment
Most of the canker sores go away on their own in a week or so. Unusually large, recurrent, and persistent sores may require medical treatment.
Some of the ingredients in a mouth rinse or ointments like hydrogen peroxide or steroid dexamethasone can be helpful.
Severe canker sores may be treated by burning the tissue – cauterization. If you have a nutritional deficiency, your doctor may recommend supplements.
4. Hand, foot, and mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection caused by Coxsackievirus. It commonly occurs in young children. It can lead to a rash on palms and soles along with mouth and lip sores.
The lesions in the mouth can appear as red bumps which can blister. They usually appear on the back of the mouth but can appear elsewhere in the mouth too like gums, cheeks, and inside lips.
They may be accompanied by fever. This condition is contagious and can spread by close personal contact.
Treatment
Usually, the lesions clear on their own. In some cases, pain medication may be given. Plenty of fluids should be taken to avoid dehydration.
5. Gingivostomatitis
Gingivostomatitis is an infection of the mouth and gums. It can lead to small blisters and sores on lips, mouth, and gums. It can occur at any age but it’s commonly seen in children.
It may be associated with other symptoms like fever, sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes.
The most common cause is herpes simplex virus 1. Other causes include Coxsackievirus, some bacteria (Streptococcus, Actinomyces), or poor oral hygiene.
Treatment
The mouth sores may heal on their own. However, in some cases, one may need pain or antiviral medication. If the child is not eating well, one should look for any signs of dehydration. Hot and spicy foods should be avoided.
6. Mucocele
A mucocele is a small cyst or blister-like lesion that is usually seen inside the lower lip. It can occur in other parts of the mouth too.
It is painless and can appear clear, white, or have a bluish hue. It occurs due to trauma to the salivary glands or its ducts.
This can occur due to a lip bite, oral dentures, braces, or any other injury. It can also occur due to chronic inflammation or thickening of gland ducts. As a result, the saliva flow is blocked resulting in a cyst or blister.
Treatment
Mucocele usually goes away on its own. Do not try to pop it as that can lead to infection and scarring.
If the cyst is large or causes discomfort, it can be treated using cryotherapy, laser, or excised surgically.
7. Sunburn blisters
Excessive sun exposure can lead to sunburn which can present with blisters or sores on the lips.
Treatment
One should protect the area with broad-spectrum sunscreen. If possible, one should avoid further exposure to the sun so that the area can heal.
The following measures can help in healing a sunburn lip blister:
- Use a cold compress.
- Apply aloe vera.
- Moisturize the area.
- Take anti-inflammatory medication like NSAIDs to decrease pain and inflammation.
- Do not pop the blister.
- See a doctor, if the blister does not heal, is painful or there is pus or visible discharge.
8. Contact dermatitis
Certain allergens or irritants present in food or our skincare or oral care products can lead to an allergic reaction or irritation, leading to a blistering rash on the lips. This is called contact dermatitis.
Treatment
In most cases, avoiding the irritant or allergen will improve the lip blisters. Use a fragrance-free lip balm to soothe the area. In addition, avoid licking the lips. In some cases, topical steroids may be helpful.
9. Burn blister
Drinking extremely hot liquids, smoking and certain chemicals can lead to burns and lip blisters or sores.
Treatment
A cool compress may decrease the discomfort. It is important to keep the area moisturized and protected from the sun. Do not pop the blister.
If there is any dark discoloration, visible discharge, pain, fever or the blisters do not heal, it’s best to see a doctor for treatment.
10. Lip bite
A bite can result in a bump or blister on the lip. It usually occurs while eating food, due to falls, stress, seizures, etc.
Treatment
They usually heal on their own. Cool compress and saline rinse may be helpful. Avoid hot and spicy food.
11. Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can lead to sores in the mouth. It occurs due to the bacteria – Treponema pallidum. It may be accompanied by other symptoms like fever or fatigue.
Treatment
It is treated with an antibiotic – penicillin. Alternative antibiotics can be used if one is allergic to penicillin.
Uncommon or rare causes of a blister on lips:
12. Autoimmune blistering disorders
A few immune-mediated disorders can lead to blisters on the lips along with other parts of the body. These include:
- Pemphigus
- Pemphigoid
- Linear IgA Disease
Treatment
Bullous disorders like pemphigus or pemphigoid are usually treated with steroids. Linear IgA disease is usually treated with dapsone.
13. Erythema multiforme
This is an immune-mediated skin condition that affects the skin and mucous membranes. It can occur due to certain infections like herpes or medications. It can cause blisters on the lips.
Treatment
It is usually treated with steroids, and antihistamines and by addressing the underlying cause.
14. Lip cancer
Lip cancer usually presents as a sore, ulcer, or bump that does not heal. It is very rare for cancer to present as a lip blister.
However, if there is a blister or sore on the lip that doesn’t heal, it should be examined by a doctor to rule out cancer.
Treatment
The treatment of lip cancer will depend on various parameters like size, location, etc. They are usually treated by surgical excision, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Diagnosis
Most lip sores or blisters can be diagnosed clinically by examining the lesion.
In some cases, your doctor may do additional testing to confirm a diagnosis. These may include a swab, skin biopsy, or blood tests.
When to see a doctor
While most lip blisters are harmless, one should see a doctor if:
- The blister is persistent and does not heal.
- There is a visible discharge.
- It is big and causes discomfort.
- Difficulty eating and drinking.
- Multiple lesions involving other parts of the body.
- Systemic symptoms like fever, numbness, and sore throat.
- Recurrent lip blisters.
- You are not sure what caused it.
Prevention
The following measures can prevent a few types of lip blisters:
- Always protect your lips from the sun by using broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- Avoid skincare products with known allergens or irritants.
- Eat nutrient-rich food to avoid deficiency of vitamins and other elements.
- Avoid very hot fluids or food.
- Practice good hand hygiene to stay healthy.
Summary
A blister on the lip can occur due to several reasons – cold sores, canker sores, sunburn, allergic reaction, bite, infections, autoimmune diseases, and rarely cancer.
While some are painless, some like cold sores or canker sores can be painful and cause discomfort.
Most of these don’t require treatment, however, any persistent or non-healing lip blister needs medical attention as they can be a symptom of serious underlying skin condition.
Read more:
- Canker Sore vs Fever Blister (Cold Sore)
- Blisters on Fingers and Hands: Pictures, 13 Causes, Treatment
References
- de Andrade RS, de Freitas EM, Rocha BA, Gusmão ES, Filho MR, Júnior HM. Oral findings in secondary syphilis. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2018 Mar 1;23(2):e138-e143. doi: 10.4317/med oral.22196. PMID: 29476680; PMCID: PMC5911365.
- Canker sore. Mayo Clinic.
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD). CDC.
- Erythema multiforme. King C. DermNet.
- Oral autoimmune blistering diseases. Gear K. DermNet.
- van Tuyll van Serooskerken AM, van Marion AM, de Zwart-Storm E, Frank J, Poblete-Gutiérrez P. Lichen planus with bullous manifestation on the lip. Int J Dermatol. 2007 Nov;46 Suppl 3:25-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03506.x. PMID: 17973884.
- Syphilis. Cleveland Clinic.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for information purposes only and does not replace medical advice.