How to get rid of lip pesky

We all know that acne has its hot spots. And some of them are stranger and more painful than others. Case in point: one of the most irritating skin afflictions has to be the recurring rash that appears right near the mouth. Unfortunately, the mouth is not exempt from the T-zone (acne's favorite area) because this area has large sebaceous glands and is in constant contact with food. Every time you talk, chew, yawn, or show off emotions that are bigger than a small smile, it is not a friendly reminder of the presence of inflammation.

To make matters worse, acne shares some similarities with herpes labialis (especially in terms of appearance) and can easily cause confusion to those suffering from pimples. The good news? Because acne and oral herpes actually have very little in common, they are very easy to distinguish from each other once you know exactly what to look for. And while fighting the scars around your mouth may seem like an uphill battle, there are ways you can take to tackle the pesky buggers along the lines of your lips.

With that in mind, we've tapped Loretta Ciraldo MD, FAAD , a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, Florida, and Dr. Loretta's Skin Care , who can help you distinguish between acne and oral herpes, and how to treat lip acne when it occurs.

What is the difference between herpes and acne on the lips?

Let's go back to the basics. Simply put, lip acne is the same as any other acne on the face, but on the lips. It is caused by a number of factors. In addition to excessive sebaceous glands that promote abnormal growth of acne-causing bacteria, Dr. Ciraldo says that one of the most common causes is fragrant lip products, including lipstick, gloss, and even lip balm (some waxes in lip balm can clog pores). (if the cream spreads on the skin close to the lips). Combine that with the humidity and friction you get wearing a face mask -and you've got yourself a breeding ground for acne.

Herpes labialis, on the other hand, is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Your body will usually alert you to it with a tingling, itching, or burning sensation. Outbreaks are often triggered by internal changes such as colds, infections, fluctuating hormone levels, and stress. Since a simple kiss can catch a highly contagious infection, the majority of people are exposed to the virus, but it only occurs when it is triggered, says Dr. Ciraldo.

Having said that, there are some distinct physical differentiators between the two. If you look closely, herpes labialis can be a mass of blisters, while acne is a single reddish-pink bump (or white in the case of milia) that never occurs directly on the lips, Dr. Ciraldo says. Acne is also usually more tender, as opposed to herpes labialis, which tends to burn.

Treatments for Acne

Since lip acne is caused by the same pore-clogging bacteria as regular acne, the methods to counteract it are quite similar. First and foremost, don't squeeze while you're tempted. Dr. Szilard says. Our lips are very red because they have a lot of blood vessels, so squeezing acne on the lips can cause deep bruising and bleeding (in addition to bruising and scarring).

Acne can be treated with bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid exfoliation , as well as topical retinoids such as tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene, says Dr. Ciraldo. To do a spot acne treatment, apply it with a cotton tip to any area of the lips that looks red and swollen. Slapping on an acne patch can also discourage picking and help extract the gunk inside.

Since maskne is a very common occurrence, be sure to wipe off sweat and cleanse the area regularly with a mild cleanser, adds Dr. Ciraldo. 'Always remove all lip products before going to bed and rinse your lips thoroughly,' she says. 'The key to preventing burst lips is exfoliation: Many people don't take an exfoliator or cleanser to their entire lips.

You should be able to get rid of lip acne with home remedies, but if your lip rash is particularly persistent or tending toward the cystic variety, you may want to consider alternative treatments such as birth control or Accutane. All this is to say: although it is frustrating (and often mistaken for a teenage disease), lip acne is treatable and completely normal. Don't be afraid to sit down with your dermatologist and come up with a treatment together.