Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
FAQ
Adark spoton the lip may appear for a variety of reasons. It may be due to sun exposure, vitamin deficiency, hormone-related issues, and even an excess of iron in the body. In rare cases, a dark spot can also be a sign of oral melanoma, which can present as a black or brown spot that may change in shape or size.
This article will discuss the causes of dark spots on the lips, diagnosis, treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Boy_Anupong / Getty Images
Causes of a Dark Spot on the Lips
A dark spot on the lips can be due to various causes. In most cases, there is no need to worry because the cause is harmless, and the spot can be faded with appropriate treatment. Other causes (like skin cancer) are more dangerous and require immediate attention.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancercan take the form of a dark spot. Nonmelanoma skin cancer—cancer that does not begin in cells that produce pigmentation—can cause spots on the skin that may grow for months to years. You may mistake them for a sore that doesn’t seem to be healing.
Oralmelanomais a dangerous form of cancer that can cause spots, lumps, or markings that may change color, shape, or size but start out as a small black or brown spot. While just 4% of skin cancers are melanoma, 79% of deaths related to skin cancer are due to melanoma.
Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentationcan cause dark spots or patches on the skin anywhere on the body. Among people with darker skin tones, hyperpigmentation is one of the most common reasons to see adermatologist(a specialist in skin conditions).
Several factors can cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots. These include:
Hypopigmentation vs. Vitiligo: What Are the Differences?
Hemochromatosis
Hemochromatosisis a condition in which the body absorbs and stores an excessive amount of iron. This condition can cause problems like pain, fatigue, and problems with liver function. It can also cause issues with the skin.
With hemochromatosis, the skin can take on a bronze pigmentation from iron building up in the sweat glands. This can then cause a dark stain on the skin. Any existing scars may also be very pigmented.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water can cause dry and chapped lips, leading to irritation. When lips are dry due todehydration, it can be a common impulse to lick, pick or bite them. But this can make the lips more dry and irritated.
Sunspots
Also known as age spots, these dark marks may occur in parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. Common areas for sunspots include the face or hands.
It is important to see a dermatologist to determine if a dark spot on the lip is a sunspot, as it can have a similar appearance to skin cancer. Mistakenly attempting to fade a spot that is actually skin cancer and not an age spot can cause more harm, as it gives the cancer time to grow and spread.
Angiokeratoma
Over time, the spots may look more like warts. They may also be associated with complications, including:
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 DeficiencyIn some cases, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in anemia. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:IrritabilityVisual disturbancesDepressionUlcers in the mouthRed tongueSore tongueChanges in behaviorChanges in walking and movementPins-and-needles sensationsChanges in thoughts or feelingsDifficulties with memoryDifficulties with cognition, including judgment or understanding of conceptsYellow tinge to the skin
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
In some cases, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in anemia. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:IrritabilityVisual disturbancesDepressionUlcers in the mouthRed tongueSore tongueChanges in behaviorChanges in walking and movementPins-and-needles sensationsChanges in thoughts or feelingsDifficulties with memoryDifficulties with cognition, including judgment or understanding of conceptsYellow tinge to the skin
In some cases, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in anemia. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Smoking
Among other complications, smoking can cause dark spots on the skin and lips. This is referred to as smoker’smelanosis.
Smoking commonly causes pigmentation on the gums, palate, and lips, as well as other areas on the front of the body, like the face.
Thyroid Disorders
Thethyroidis a gland found in the neck. It is responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism (the way your body produces and uses energy). Thyroid disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, includingmelasma.
Melasma can cause brown or blotchy patches of skin on the face. It is more common in females than in males.
Thyroid Disease Signs on the SkinThyroid diseases can cause some signs on the skin. These include:Deep cracks and scales on dry skinYellow or orange color to the palms or soles of the feetReddening of the palmsFlushing in the faceDarker skin in the mouth, gums, or creases of the palmsReddish spots on the skinSwollen faceWounds that are slow to heal
Thyroid Disease Signs on the Skin
Thyroid diseases can cause some signs on the skin. These include:Deep cracks and scales on dry skinYellow or orange color to the palms or soles of the feetReddening of the palmsFlushing in the faceDarker skin in the mouth, gums, or creases of the palmsReddish spots on the skinSwollen faceWounds that are slow to heal
Thyroid diseases can cause some signs on the skin. These include:
Certain Medications
Some of the types of drugs that can cause this include:
Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction can cause marks around the lips. The medical term for this is allergic contactcheilitis.
Common triggers for this include:
Melanotic Macule
An oral melanotic macule is a benign condition that usually looks like a tiny brown or black patch on the inside of the lip. It’s unclear what causes it, but it happens as a result of an over-production of melanin. Multiple melanotic macules may be a sign of Addison’s disease or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
A dark spot on the skin could be due to various factors. For this reason, it is a good idea to consult with a dermatologist to receive an accurate diagnosis.
A dermatologist will examine the spot and consider whether it might be something serious like skin cancer. To make this determination, they may use the ABCDE criteria, which means they will look for asymmetry, an irregular border, varying colors, a diameter of greater than 6 mm, and whether the spot has evolved in size and shape.
The only way to definitively diagnose skin cancer is through askin biopsy. In this procedure, a sample of tissue is removed from the spot to be analyzed in the laboratory.
If it’s not skin cancer, a dermatologist will be able to help identify other causes of a dark spot on the lip.
There are many possible causes of a dark spot on the lip, and treatment will vary based on the underlying cause.
Possible treatment options include, but are not limited to:
Whenever you find a suspicious-looking spot on your skin, you should make an appointment with a dermatologist. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact a healthcare provider if the spot:
A skin specialist can help determine if the spot is skin cancer or something else and treat it appropriately.
Summary
There are numerous potential causes for a dark spot on the lips. Some possible causes include skin cancer, a vitamin B12 deficiency, excessive iron in the body, thyroid disorders, smoking, age spots, and dehydration. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to see a specialist such as a dermatologist.
Treatment options will vary based on the underlying cause but may include lifestyle factors like improving hydration, changing personal hygiene products, medications, or medical procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hyperpigmentation is one example of a dark spot that will fade with proper treatment. If the dark mark is only a few shades darker than the rest of the skin, it may take six to 12 months to fade. If it is much darker, fading can take years. Appropriate treatment may speed up this process.A dermatologist will be able to advise the best way to treat a dark spot on the lips and estimate how long it may take to fade.
Hyperpigmentation is one example of a dark spot that will fade with proper treatment. If the dark mark is only a few shades darker than the rest of the skin, it may take six to 12 months to fade. If it is much darker, fading can take years. Appropriate treatment may speed up this process.
A dermatologist will be able to advise the best way to treat a dark spot on the lips and estimate how long it may take to fade.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cedars Sinai.Melanoma skin cancer.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones.
British Skin Foundation.Skin and genetic haemochromatosis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.7 dermatologists' tips for healing dry, chapped lips.
DermNet NZ.Lip licker’s dermatitis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What can get rid of age spots?
Rao VR.Vitamin B12 deficiency presenting with hyperpigmentation and pancytopenia.J Family Med Prim Care. 2018;7(3):642-644. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_347_16
Taghizadeh S, Dinçer Z, Marakoğlu İ.Smoker’s melanosis: a case report.Tobacco Induced Diseases. 2018;16(3):121. doi:10.18332/tid/95192
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Thyroid disease: a checklist of skin, hair and nail changes.
DermNet NZ.Melasma.
Nahhas AF, Braunberger TL, Hamzavi IH.An update on drug-induced pigmentation.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2019;20(1):75-96. doi:10.1007/s40257-018-0393-2
Brigham and Women’s Hospital.Oral melanotic macule.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How can I tell if I have skin cancer?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
