Scabs on Lips not Cold Sores and Won't Heal

In this post you will find out what the scabs on lips that are not cold sores are and the reasons why they are not healing. Some treatment and options on how to get rid of them using natural home remedies have also been suggested.

What are Scabs on Lips

When the skin is hurt, a blood clot forms to stop bleeding. As time goes by, the blood clot hardens forming a hard protective layer on the wounded skin. This is what is referred to as a scab. It forms as part of the healing process whenever the skin is wounded.

With the scab as a protective layer, there is room for the regeneration of skin tissue. When new skin is fully formed and the wound is healed, the scab falls off. In case there is interference and the scab falls before the healing process is complete, the skin will form a new scab and the cycle will continue until the area heals.

Note: Scabs are not to be confused with scars. While scabbing is temporary, scars are permanent.

Causes of Scabs on Lips

When it comes to formation of scabs on the lips, any skin problem that compromises the skin could lead to scabbing. This could be something as simple as a laceration or wounds formed from cold sores or pimples. Fortunately, lip scabs are rarely deep and tend to heal within no time.

Trauma

The most obvious cause of scabs on lips is trauma. When the lip is injured through a cut, insect bite, accidents during contact sports or burns from how foods, bleeding occurs. Scabs on lip from biting also fall in this category. Depending on the amount of impact, a blood vessel may be broken or there will just be bruising. With these follows formation of a scab to protect your lips from further damage.

Blackheads on lips

When it comes to formation of acne whether in the form of pimples, white or blackheads on lips, it is usually as a result of the pores getting clogged by excess oil and dirt. Blackheads cause black scabs on lips. These are common in puberty, during intense hormonal periods such as in pregnancy or menopause. The severity of the acne will determine how much skin damage is subjected to the lips and thus how hard and long the scab will be.

Once the acne heals, the scab will fall off leaving behind a dark spot on the lip. This should disappear with time. In severe cases though, an acne scar may form.

Sunburns

When lips are exposed to direct ultra violet rays without any protection, they suffer damage just like the rest of the facial skin would. As a result, you will experience throbbing sensations and sensitivity to touch. Where the exposure is prolonged and the lips become severely sunburned, there will be cracking and minor bleeding. The cracking is then followed by flaking off while bleeding results in formation of scabs.

Sunburned lips tend to elicit more itch and pain than sunburns found elsewhere in the body. It is therefore important to protect your lips against the harsh sun to keep them healthy.

Cold Sores or Fever Blisters

A fever blister of cold sore on the lip is a blister filled with fluid. It is most common on the areas around the mouth but may appear inside it and in other parts of the body such as the nose and fingers. The sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and may last up to two weeks. Being highly contagious, cold sores may be spread through contact such as while kissing.

The development of a cold sore occurs in various stages. The first one involves the first 24 hours in which there is a tingling and itchy sensation. After this, a fluid filled blister will appear. This blister then erupts resulting in the oozing of the fluid. It is then that a painful sore forms. With time, the sore will dry out resulting in cracking and itching. These are what will see you develop cold sore scabs on lips with time. Once the lip scabbing is over and the scabs fall off, the sore heals.

How to Heal a Cold Sore Scab Fast

Although they have no cure, some medication can be used to relief the symptoms.

You could also heal and cold sore fast by reducing the required healing time. Avoid picking the scab as this creates a fresh wound all together. Instead, allow it to heal and fall off on its own. Instead, keep the affected lips clean by using antibacterial soap. 

Once done dab the area dry and ensure you use a clean towel on the lips each time. Do not use one meant for the rest of the face. Follow this with petroleum jelly application to ensure the area remains supple.

Dry Lips

When the skin on and around the lips is dry, you are forced to scratch as well as lick it frequently. Dry skin is mostly a result of inadequate hydration and might occur when an individual is not taking enough water and not moisturizing the lips efficiently.

When the itch is excessive and scratching becomes persistent, the lips are hurt and will peel, become chapped as well as have scabs. Topical lubrication can help prevent this.

Allergic reactions

The body reacts to allergens by producing antihistamines. The symptoms of allergic reactions may involve itchy red bumps on the lips. These may the form sores or get wounded due to scratching. The lips could experience allergic reactions from cosmetic products such as lipstick, lip balms and lip liners. For immediate relief, antihistamines may help. Eliminating the allergens there after should help avoid further scabs on lips.

How to get rid of scabs on Lips - How to Heal a Scab on Lip Faster

Like discussed above, scabs on lips serve a protective purpose. They should, therefore, not be forcefully peeled off. Instead, some tender care can enhance their healing and enhance regrowth of skin cells. Below are various options on how to heal a scab on lip faster and  how to get rid of scabs on lips.

1.      Oral Products

Depending on what the cause of scabs on lips is, you can use topical products to relief the symptoms. Topical antibiotics can help heal scabbing while preventing occurrence of secondary infections on wounded skin. Antihistamines can help deal with lip scabs resulting from allergic reactions while salicylic acid creams or lotions can help exfoliate the lips and accelerate the growth of new skin cells.

2.      Natural and Home Remedies

To keep your lips healthy and smooth, you can make use of natural methods on how to get rid of scabs on lips. These include:

Tea Tree Oil

This has antiseptic properties and will prevent the lips from getting infected. Since it is highly potent, ensure you dilute it with a carrier oil and test it on your skin to ensure you are not sensitive to it. After this, apply the oil using a cotton ball on the lips.

Honey

Home is rich in antiseptic agents that help treat and heal scabs on lips quite fast. It will accelerate the healing of wounded lips and can be used on the whole face as well. Ensure the scabbed lips are clean before applying. Using your finger, pay attention to the scabs and sleep on it. Wash off in the morning.

Aloe Vera

Another great home remedy for various skin issues. It can help heal most of the causes of scabbing thus allowing the skin to heal faster and hasten the falling off of the lip scabs.

Scabs on Lips Prevention

To help protect your lips from harm and keep them smooth and healthy, below are some tips on how to prevent formation of scabs on lips.

Apply Lip Care Products Regularly

Applying a thin coat of an oil based cream or petroleum based lip balm can help in keeping your lips well hydrated and thus prevent them from deteriorating. This gives room for the skin to recover and thus get rid of the scabbing.

Sunscreen

This is most appropriate when you have lip scabs resulting from sunburn. It not only serves as a protective product but enhances healing too. Settle for a lip balm with an SPF to caution you whenever you are venturing outdoors.

Cover your Lips

During winter, ensure your lips are well covered with a scarf. This protects them from the harshness of winter and prevents your lips from cracking and bleeding. Use a thick scarf to protect the skin around your lips from extreme weather conditions.

Hydration

Staying well hydrated can help prevent your lips from drying up and cracking. Ensure that you meet the minimum water consumption requirements daily. In addition, incorporate fleshy vegetables and fruits in your diet to keep your lips smooth and protect them from scabbing.

Scab on Lip Not Cold Sore

Like discussed above, the causes of lip scabs are varied. A scab on lip that is not a cold sore can be a sunburn, wound from trauma, allergic reaction or even dry skin. The intervention necessary to facilitate quick healing is dependent on the causative agent.

Scab on Lip Won't Heal

If a scab on lip won’t heal, it could be because you keep picking at it or something else is interfering with the healing process. In addition, infections could delay healing and prolong the period that the scab lasts. In case the scabbing interferes with you daily activities such as eating or you experience unbearable pain, see your doctor.