Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Discolouration In The Lower Lips In A Cigarette Smoker?
Question: Hello My Lower lip has slight discoloration, when i press , it becomes red or kind of pink/Look close to normal. Also feel little hard on touch than other parts. When I try to click picture it is hardly visibly , it may be due to camera effect or so. So i do not know if it is virtiligo or something else. Inside my mouth I had noticed similar thing almost 20 years back ( My age 38) but that time i also got tensed but it remained there as it is, now it is spreading little bit. It is not noticeable unless somebody see it from very close. I smoke as well and the areas where i use to hol d the butt has spread little more from the many years. Area is little less sensitive than others on touch or feel but nothing alarming. Just i feel little hard when i hold it between the teeth.
Brief Answer:
Upload picture
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query and the detailed description.
After reading the entire description I could think of two important possibilities that needs to be ruled out as soon as possible:
1) Vitiligo
2) Smoker's lip
Vitiligo is the high possibility as the white patch was there since 20 yrs and it was not spreading. It may be spreading now because you are losing immunity and are more prone for diseases because of smoking habit. This needs to be confirmed with physical examination
Smoker's lip can form because of injury to the lip from the smoke that damages the cells on that lip. The free radicals prevail on those cells to damage the epithelium and mucus membrane.
For sure you have to immediate plan to quit smoking and there is no alternative.
A wood's lamp examination can be useful.
So do not wait for long instead I suggest you to see a skin specialist now and get the diagnosis correct.
Let me know if I can be of any help to you from now on.
Upload picture
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query and the detailed description.
After reading the entire description I could think of two important possibilities that needs to be ruled out as soon as possible:
1) Vitiligo
2) Smoker's lip
Vitiligo is the high possibility as the white patch was there since 20 yrs and it was not spreading. It may be spreading now because you are losing immunity and are more prone for diseases because of smoking habit. This needs to be confirmed with physical examination
Smoker's lip can form because of injury to the lip from the smoke that damages the cells on that lip. The free radicals prevail on those cells to damage the epithelium and mucus membrane.
For sure you have to immediate plan to quit smoking and there is no alternative.
A wood's lamp examination can be useful.
So do not wait for long instead I suggest you to see a skin specialist now and get the diagnosis correct.
Let me know if I can be of any help to you from now on.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have uploaded the pic as u suggested, have a look and revert back plz..
I have little less sensation in those areas.... and it is not sensitive to the sun light and other things.Hello I had asked a follow up question and uploaded few pic suggested by Doc.. Can u plz refer back ASAP
I have little less sensation in those areas.... and it is not sensitive to the sun light and other things.Hello I had asked a follow up question and uploaded few pic suggested by Doc.. Can u plz refer back ASAP
Brief Answer:
Looks like vitiligo
Detailed Answer:
hello,
it looks to be vitiligo on the pictures uploaded. I see a very faint whitish discoloration on right side of the mid line and more on the inner side. it is not visible unless pointed and closely observed. the lesser sensation may not suggest anything.
I suggest to leave it as it is. you can use camouflage technique after speaking to cosmetologist.
hope it answers.
Looks like vitiligo
Detailed Answer:
hello,
it looks to be vitiligo on the pictures uploaded. I see a very faint whitish discoloration on right side of the mid line and more on the inner side. it is not visible unless pointed and closely observed. the lesser sensation may not suggest anything.
I suggest to leave it as it is. you can use camouflage technique after speaking to cosmetologist.
hope it answers.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
