What Causes Painful Zit And Painless White Ulcer On Outer Lips?

Posted on Sun, 28 Jun 2015

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

Sun, 28 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. I'm 24 years old and have been chewing tobacco off and on for about 7 years. Mostly off. I usually go for 3-6 months and quit for 1-2 years. But I recently had a painful zit in the corner of my mouth and looked into my lower lip and saw a painless white ulcer with a skin colored center. I've now had it 16 days and it's swollen now. When I press on it with my tounge I can feel a heart beat. Do you think it's cancer or could it possibly be something else?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Waiting for your photograph.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted your history of tobacco chewing, now have a painful zit in the corner of the mouth, painless white ulcer with skin colored center in lower lip. Noted 16 days ago and is swollen now.
It is difficult to say with just the history.
I will be better able to help if I see a photograph of the lesion.
Please post clear photographs as YYYY@YYYY so that I can assist you more.

Waiting for your reply.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (8 hours later)

The first picture where my skin color looks little different was from 16 days ago. The other 4 pics was from today.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take a course for 3 weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your pictures, seen all the one 16 days ago and the rest of today.
This is called Leukoplakia.

I would advise you the following:
- Start taking multivitamins
- Stop tobacco strictly.
- Avoid too hot and too cold things of foods and beverages.
- Please do not suckle the area as it usually happens due to over-consciousness.
- Use mild and most minimum quantity of toothpaste and a new very soft brush.
By this means you shall inflict the most minimal trauma and will help the body to heal the lesions on its own by its healing mechanism.
Review the results after 3 weeks and if still the doubt exists, can go for a small biopsy to confirm what it is.

I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask further relevant queries if you need to.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 minutes later)

So you think I should wait 3 more weeks with this advice to see if it goes away?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Better to, if you are too anxious get biopsy done

Detailed Answer:
Obviously yes, please.
And it is not simple wait, you have to follow the things as explained in details.

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar