Parents often tell their kids not to talk while eating. Keeping the good manners aside, you may end up taking a bite of your cheek with a mouthful of a delicious dinner if you aren’t careful. The result may be a bloodied mouth blister. Even if you get one, there’s no need to worry though; oral surgeons in Torrance are more than proficient in handling these irritants.
So what are blood blisters in the mouth?
In layman’s words, it is the slightly protruded area on the skin filled with blood or fluid. One of the common causes of a blood blister in the mouth is an injury to the blood vessels underneath the skin. The bursiform formation helps protect the area from further damage.
These ungainly little growths can at times be painful, but they are rarely of any serious concern. Apart from unwarranted bitings, the primary causes are:
- Consuming hard or hot food
- Hypersensitivity/ allergic reaction
- Fixing issues with dentures or braces
- Angina Bullosa Haemorrhagica (ABH)
The medical condition coined as Angina Bullosa Haemorrhagica (ABH) is an unusual and often painful form of blood blisters in the mouth that may sprout quite suddenly. Unless they become big enough to block the airway, they are generally benign.
In rare cases, these innocuous oral maladies may be a result of more serious medical disorders, such as:
- Anxiety/ Stress
- Kidney failure
- Oral herpes
- Oral Cancer
- Thrombocytopenia or low platelet count
- Alcoholism
- High blood sugar
- Vitamin inadequacy
- Iron deficiency
- Local anesthetic injection
- Inhalation of drugs, including steroids
- Arthritis
- Skin disease
- Excessive smoking
- Certain toothpaste or mouthwash
Symptoms
Blood blisters in the mouth generally do not have any predefined symptoms. Some may feel nominal pain or a burning sensation near the affected area in the mouth. They are likely to disappear as naturally as they had appeared, leaving hardly any residual effect.
However, if the blisters keep resurfacing, then it may be a result of some pre-existing ailment that requires further investigation.
Treatment (as advised by oral surgeons in Torrance)
Apply ice to the blister
- If you have inadvertently injured a part of your mouth, it’s advisable to use icing immediately to prevent blisters from forming.
- In case the blister has already developed, then the appropriate way to use icing is to hold the ice directly on top of the blister for about 10 minutes. This can be repeated multiple times in a day till the inflammation subsides.
- If required, you can apply light pressure to stop the bleeding
- Using a flavored popsicle could have the same but a more pleasant experience.
Apply cucumber slices
- A chemical called Silica present in cucumbers can help in skin regrowth & healing.
- You can use a cold cucumber slice on the blister several times a day. This will not only help in reducing the inflammation, but it may also give you some relief from the pain.
- You can also enjoy a cool cucumber drink to heal your blister.
Apply witch hazel
- Astringent tannins in witch hazel have the potential to reduce pain as we dry up mouth blisters.
- To effectively use witch hazel, you need to use a cotton swab. Soak the cotton swab on the witch hazel and gently apply it to the blister.
- Post application, keep your mouth open till the witch hazel dries up
- Since some people may be allergic to witch hazel, it’s advisable to use it on a patch of unaffected skin first and observe the reaction for 24 hours. If there’s no adverse reaction, you may apply it to the blisters for remedial effect.
Use Turmeric
- Very popular in South-East Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, turmeric has been used for generations to heal pain and inflammation.
- Curcumin present in turmeric is noted to be potent in curing skin anomalies.
- Mix a teaspoonful of turmeric with honey and use the balm directly on the blister. This can be used several times a day as the ayurvedic properties of turmeric are not likely to have any side effects.
Drink Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is not only a refreshing drink, but the antioxidants in it can also help in countering blisters in the mouth.
Have a few cups of Chamomile tea to soothe the pain and heal the blister.
Others
- Avoid salty, spicy, and hot food till the blister is healed.
- Refrain from bursting the blister as it may increase the chances of infection and prolonged discomfort.
- Try to avoid using dentures till the blister is gone.
When to consult a doctor?
Blood blisters in the mouth heal naturally within 2 weeks. However, under the following conditions, you are well-advised to seek medical help.
- If they are reappearing regularly
- The blister is abnormally large
- It’s jeopardizing food intake
- The blister is not healing even after trying the above home remedies
- It appears on the lip
- The blister is a result of denture or braces fitting issues
The last issue can easily be sorted by your dentist. However, it’s best to visit a specialist rather than try to make any changes to the fixture on your own.
A quick scan of oral surgeons nearby can reveal several experts in the field like Peninsula Oral Surgery or Turrella Oral Surgery, depending on your location.
There are differences between blood blisters & mouth sores
Though prima facie, canker sore, fever blisters & blood blisters may appear similar, they are not the same.
Canker Sore is a form of mouth ulcer that’s usually red in color with a white or yellow thin envelope covering it. Blood blisters, on the other hand, are commonly dark red or purple in coloring.
Fever blisters usually give a forewarning like a tingling sensation before transforming into blisters, whereas blood blisters appear unexpectedly.
There are several oral surgeons in Torrance who have the expertise to treat blood blisters in the mouth. If home remedies are not sufficing or the blisters keep reappearing, then waste no more time and book your consultation with oral surgeons nearby.
