What Causes Brown Discoloration Of Lower Lip?

Posted on Sun, 9 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 9 Nov 2014 Answered on

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My 7 year old looks like she was an exaggerated brownish clown (lower) lip.
Would chapped lips turn brown??
Or is this allergy or something else?
Using aquafor..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Upload a photograph; provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query.

Chapping is unlikely to be the cause. Drug reaction/Fixed drug eruption is a possibility.

I would like you to upload a picture, so that I am able to appreciate.

-How long do you notice that it has turned brownish?
-Did it happen suddenly Or was it gradual?
-Is there a preceding history of drug intake?

Kindly get back to me with the details as well as a photograph

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (18 minutes later)

Plesse see photo.. Shes had it about a week..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upload another one

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I cant see the affected area clearly in this picture. It is blurred. Please upload a good clarity digital picture (preferably 2-3 photographs) and kindly upload a "Close Up" of the Lower Lip and make sure you switch off the flash and click it in good light.

History of just one week goes in favour of a drug reaction. Is there any preceding history of drug intake?

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 hours later)

Is this more clear? Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Photograph not received

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Sorry, I have not received the photograph.

After you click a few photographs of the affected area, either mail them to YYYY@YYYY with the subject line as :"Attn Dr. Kakkar" Or else you may go to the reports section and upload the photographs using the uploader option.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)

Ok. I have emailed picture of brien area under swollen lip. She has looked like this for over a week.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Impetigo is the likely possibility

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have gone through the image. Though it is not even close to clear as I had wished for.

Anyway, this seems like impetigo to me. Impetigo is a superficial bacterial infection of the skin; the area around the nose and mouth being particularly prone in children because the causative bacterium (staph aureus) frequently colonizes the nasal bacterial flora, in those who are affected.

If I was the treating doctor I would have started her on an oral antibiotic syp (e.g flucloxacillin or amoxycillin) for a week.
Oral antibiotics are prescription products. I would suggest that you contact you primary care physician for the needful.

Topically I would suggest an OTC topical antibacterial e.g 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari