What It Means When Your Lips Turn White

1. Cold Weather or Poor Circulation

Exposure to frigid temperatures or poor circulation, which reduces blood flow to the lips, can cause white lips.

2. Anemia

Lips that are pale or pallid may indicate anemia, a condition marked by a low red blood cell count.

3. Raynaud's Phenomenon

This condition causes excessive constriction of blood vessels in response to cold or tension, resulting in decreased blood flow to the extremities, including the lips.

4. Allergic Reaction

Some allergic reactions can cause swelling and pallor of the lips, particularly when the reaction is severe or when the lips come into contact with the allergen.

5. Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that can produce white patches on the lips and within the mouth.

6. Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin condition in which regions of skin lose pigmentation due to the destruction of cells that produce pigment.

7. Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a yeast infection that can manifest on the lips as white blotches or plaques.

8. Lip Licking or Biting

Frequent lip lapping or biting can result in irritation, dryness, and pallor of the lips.

9. Medications

Certain medications, such as chemotherapy medicines, can alter the color of the lips.

10. Frostbite

Cold temperatures can cause frostbite, resulting in pallid or white lips and other symptoms.