Pale Skin Around The Lips Symptoms, Causes & Statistics

Iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough iron to form hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

The condition can be caused by acute blood loss through injury, surgery, or childbirth;chronic blood loss through an ulcer, overuse of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or heavy menstrual periods; or impaired absorption of dietary iron due to low dietary iron intake, prior surgeries, disease, or interference from certain medications.

Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, shortness of breath, and a rapid heartbeat. If not treated, iron deficiency anemia can lead to heart disease because the heart has to increase its pumping activity in order to compensate for the reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells. In children, iron deficiency is also associated with developmental problems. The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia is made through physical examination and blood tests.

Treatment includes a diet rich in iron-containing foods, such as red meat and leafy green vegetables, along with iron supplements. In some circumstances, hospitalization, blood transfusions, and/or intravenous iron therapy may be needed.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, heavy menstrual flow

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a condition where white patches develop on the skin, which is due to a loss of color (pigment) from affected areas. There are usually no other symptoms apart from the strange appearance.

Rarity: Uncommon

Top Symptoms: loss of skin color around the lips, skin changes resembling vitiligo, loss of skin color on the arm or hand, loss of skin color on the neck

Urgency: Self-treatment

Vasovagal syncope

Vasovagal syncope is sudden. A loss of consciousness occurs due to reduced blood flow to the brain.

Those with vasovagal syncope will also experience certain skin, vision, circulatory, and other associated symptoms. These may include(https://www.buoyhealth.com/symptoms-a-z/nausea/), and feeling hot or overheated with no clear cause.

Vasovagal syncope is not usually harmful or indicative of a more serious condition. Treatments include rest, the implant of a pacemaker, dietary changes, avoiding triggers, and maintaining good circulation in the lower body.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: lightheadedness, brief fainting episode, having fainted multiple times, fainting after standing for a long time, fainting episode after a specific trigger

Symptoms that always occur with vasovagal syncope: brief fainting episode, having fainted multiple times

Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit

People who have experienced pale skin around the lips have also experienced:

• 11% Fatigue
• 7% Pale Skin
• 6% Nausea

People who have experienced pale skin around the lips were most often matched with:

• 50% Iron Deficiency Anemia
• 33% Vasovagal Syncope
• 16% Vitiligo

Source: Aggregated and anonymized results from visits to the Buoy AI health assistant (check it out by clicking on “Take Quiz”).