¿Alguna vez ha tenido una ampolla persistente en los labios y se ha preguntado qué es y de dónde viene? Las ampollas en los labios a veces pueden ser molestas e incómodas debido a la sensación de ardor, picazón u hormigueo que las acompaña. Además, existen varios tipos de ampollas en los labios según su localización y causa.
Las personas a menudo usan los términos ampollas en los labios y herpes labial indistintamente. Pero, ¿las ampollas en los labios y el herpes labial son lo mismo? Siga leyendo para conocer la diferencia (si la hay) entre las ampollas en los labios y el herpes labial, las diversas causas de las ampollas en los labios y las opciones de tratamiento.
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¿Qué son los herpes labiales?
El herpes labial son pequeñas ampollas rojas llenas de líquido que aparecen cerca de la boca y los labios durante las etapas iniciales de la infección. Aunque es raro, se pueden formar ampollas de herpes labial del mismo virus en la nariz, los dedos (panadizo herpético) o dentro de la boca. El herpes labial también se llama ampollas febriles.
El herpes labial proviene del virus del herpes simple. Son contagiosos y pueden propagarse a través del contacto cercano, incluidos los besos. Si bien no existe una cura para el herpes labial, varios tratamientos pueden ayudar a controlar los síntomas y los brotes.
¿Cuáles son otras causas de ampollas en los labios?
Se pueden formar ampollas en los labios debido a varios factores. Y todas las lesiones tienen un nombre dependiendo de la causa.
Aquí hay algunas ampollas comunes que se pueden formar en los labios y que a menudo se confunden con el herpes labial.
Aftas
A canker sore also called an aphthous ulcer, is an open and painful mouth sore or ulcer — the most common type of mouth ulcer. Canker sores are usually yellow or white and surrounded by red, inflamed soft tissue. They do not blister.
Unlike cold sores, canker lesions aren’t contagious and don’t stem from an infectious cause. They form inside the oral cavity rather than on the lip’s surface. However, they can be painful and can make talking or eating difficult.
Sunburn blisters
Sunburn lesions can also cause blisters on the lips and are extremely painful. The blisters form several hours after sun exposure.
The lesions are small, white, and fluid-filled in appearance. Although the pain may subside within 48 hours, the blisters may take a minimum of one week to fade away.
Sunburn blisters can cause the following if they’re associated with extensive, systemic sunburn or even sun poisoning:
Vomiting
Dizziness
Fevers
Nausea
Chills
Angular cheilitis
This inflammatory condition brings about swollen red patches around the corners of your mouth on the outside of your lips. In addition, the cracked, dry skin becomes susceptible to infection.
Angular cheilitis may last a few days or become a constant problem depending on its stage.
Both cold sores and angular cheilitis may cause rawness, redness, or inflammation around the corners of your mouth. However, angular cheilitis only affects the corners of the mouth, while cold sores can form anywhere on the lips and around the mouth. Furthermore, no blisters are expected with angular cheilitis.
Herpetic gingivostomatitis
Herpetic gingivostomatitis is caused by the same virus that causes cold sores and is the most common presentation of this HSV in young children. This mouth infection brings about blistering sores that occur on the gums and inside the lips. Although the infection is in the mouth area, it may sometimes spread to other parts of your body, like the nose and genitals.
Folate deficiency
A folate deficiency may lead to canker sores, although the exact mechanism is unknown. If this deficiency, along with possible vitamin B12, also results in anemia, you may experience symptoms like fatigue and weakness.
What are the similarities between cold sores and blisters on the lips?
Cold sores are blisters on the vermilion border caused by the herpes simplex virus. However, cold sores and blisters on the lips share some common characteristics. For instance, they both form on the lips, although cold sores most commonly appear on the vermilion border — the border between the lip and the skin.
In fact, a cold sore can be classified as a blister on the lip. Blisters on the lip is an umbrella term for all lesions formed on or around the lips or mouth.
Moreover, blisters on the skin can be caused by anything, including herpes simplex, the virus that causes cold sores.
How are cold sores and lip blisters different?
How do you differentiate a cold sore from a lip blister? It’s pretty simple. First, consider the location of the lesions. Cold sores form on or around the lips and can be grouped in patches if not singular. Furthermore, blistering is just one stage in the evolution of a cold sore. Lip blisters, however, can form anywhere on or around the mouth — some occur inside the mouth.
Moreover, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. At the same time, lip blisters can stem from several causes, including sunburn, autoimmune disorders, canker sores, syphilis, various infections, and oral cancer.
Also, cold sores are highly contagious, whereas some blisters on the lips may not be contagious.
Treatment options
Cold sores and blisters on the lips may go away on their own without any treatment. But sometimes, you need some treatment and home care to relieve symptoms.
Cold sore treatment options
There’s no cure for cold sores. However, you can manage symptoms in various ways, including using:
Medications: oral antivirals like valacyclovir and acyclovir can help treat cold sores.
Creams and ointments: antiviral ointments like penciclovir can help you control pain and promote healing from cold sores. You can also try over-the-counter creams like docosanol to shorten the cold sore outbreak.
Home remedies: some home remedies can help ease symptoms of cold sores. For instance, you can apply ice over the cold sores, use lip balm containing lemon extract, and apply aloe vera gel.
Treatment for lip blisters
Treatment for lip blisters varies depending on the type of lesions. However, a mix of medications, creams, ointments, and home remedies might relieve lip blisters.
Always speak to your doctor when your lip blisters don’t go away with medications, creams, and home remedies.
The lowdown
Most people often use lip blisters and cold sores interchangeably. However, blisters on the lips and cold sores have some differences and similarities. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the differences in causes, symptoms, and treatments between the two.
FAQs
Can you have a blister on your lip that isn’t a cold sore?
Yes. Not all blisters on the lips are cold sores — some form due to sunburn, cankers, or folate deficiency.
What can be mistaken for a cold sore on the lip?
Mucha gente confunde el herpes labial con otras ampollas como la gingivoestomatitis y las ampollas por quemaduras solares.
Dr. Martin Passen, a dedicated nutrition educator with a master’s in nutrition education and nearing completion of a clinical nutrition and dietetics master’s. Passionate about sharing valuable information effectively.