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Bites to your cheek can lead to the formation of red blood-filled blisters which usually resolve within days or weeks without being harmful or serious.
Ice packs can help ease pain and inflammation. Cucumber is another great home remedy, boasting silica-rich cells which promote skin healing. Try holding a slice over your mouth sore 2-3 times per day until symptoms have subsided.
Blood Blister in Mouth Causes
A blood blister in the mouth is a raised bump filled with blood and other fluids. It often happens when blood vessels beneath the tissue break, allowing blood to collect within a pocket.
Blood blisters in the mouth have various causes, mostly benign. Common reasons include:
- Trauma: Biting cheeks, hot food burns, or sharp foods like chips can lead to quick blood blister formation after injury.
- Allergies: Certain foods and medicines may irritate the mouth lining, causing blood blisters.
- Angina Bullosa Hemorrhagica: Rare, causes spontaneous oral blood blisters; usually harmless unless large and obstructing airway.
- Ill-fitted dentures or braces: Poorly fitting dental appliances can irritate mouth tissue, leading to blood blister development.
- Stress and anxiety: Weakened immunity from stress may make you prone to mouth blood blisters.
- Vitamin deficiencies: Insufficient vitamins, especially vitamin C, can contribute to mouth blood blisters.
- Medications: Some drugs, even dental injections, can irritate mouth tissue and lead to blood blisters.
- Low blood platelet count: Reduced platelets can increase blood blister formation risk.
Generally, mouth blood blisters resolve on their own within days. If persistent or causing discomfort, consult a dentist or doctor for assessment and care.
Oral Health Conditions or Injuries
People may develop blood blisters in their mouth when accidentally biting their cheek or tongue or drinking something hot enough to damage blood vessels covering cheeks and tongue. These blisters form due to damage of soft tissues covering cheeks and tongue causing blood vessel rupture resulting in blisters forming on them.
Damaged tissue causes blood to leak out and pool, creating blood blisters. They can be very uncomfortable; if large blisters appear you should consult with a physician immediately.
However, other causes can lead to blood blisters in your mouth such as medications or reactions to certain foods. They may even appear for no clear reason at all and if they keep returning you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Applying ice is an easy and quick way to alleviate the pain caused by blood blisters in your mouth. Apply it multiple times each day until it subsides; alternatively you could also try over-the-counter pain relievers for added relief if necessary.
Allergies or Intolerances
When blood filled blisters appear in your mouth, don’t panic; they are generally harmless. Sores develop when blood vessels burst and then recollect, creating circular bumps filled with red fluid that are filled with an antiseptic solution such as saltwater.
Unlike friction blisters which leave scars behind, blood filled blisters typically resolve on their own within a few days or with home remedies like cucumber slices, witch hazel or icing treatments.
If you bite your cheek by accident and end up with a blood blister in your mouth, try not to squeeze it as this can lead to infections and worsen pain. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes several times daily on it for fast relief from pain and swelling; over-the-counter pain relievers may also provide fast relief; see your physician if the blisters persist without known causes.
Kidney Failure or Reduced Platelet Levels
Blood blisters that form in the mouth tend to be harmless and will dissipate without leaving a mark. They typically develop after experiencing trauma in the form of biting your cheek or burning yourself with hot food. Oral appliances or dental work that do not fit correctly could also contribute to their formation.
Blood blisters may be the telltale signs of angina bullosa hemorrhagica, an uncommon oral condition which produces dark red or purple-colored blisters filled with blood that appear anywhere in the mouth and last up to several days before burst and leave no scarring behind.
However, unlike with other mouth sores, blood blisters should never be popped as this increases your risk of infection and slows down healing time. Furthermore, avoid acidic, salty and spicy foods while the blisters form; try home remedies such as applying ice or using soothing mouthwashes instead to relieve discomfort and pain.
Angina Bullosa Hemorrhagica
Blood blisters can be painful and alarming when they appear on the roof of your mouth or cheek, but don’t be alarmed; these conditions aren’t as common as they might first seem and usually have benign causes.
Angina bullosa hemorrhagica was coined by Badham in 1967 to describe subepithelial oral mucosal blisters filled with blood which are not related to any systemic disorder or haemostatic defect (1). It usually affects middle aged and older adults and usually affects soft palate, though it may occur anywhere oropharyngeally including epiglottis, arytenoids, or even the pharyngeal wall.
Although they can appear similar, identifying this disorder requires clear evidence such as areas bruising (ecchymosis), nosebleeds (epistaxis), or bleeding from gums to identify it correctly.
Blisters result from damage to blood vessels in the submucosal layer of the soft palate and loss of platelet-rich plasma, both factors which eventually resolve without scarring within one week.
How to Prevent Blood Blisters in the Mouth
To avoid mouth blood blisters, consider these steps:
- Limit spicy and salty foods to prevent mouth lining irritation and blood blister formation.
- Ensure well-fitted dentures or braces to prevent mouth tissue irritation and blood blister development.
- Eat cautiously, avoiding cheek or tongue bites and hard/sharp foods that can puncture mouth tissue.
- Manage stress to strengthen immunity against mouth blood blister vulnerability.
- Practice good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing, to prevent infections leading to blood blisters.
- Stay hydrated to maintain mouth moisture and prevent irritation.
- Dodge allergens that can irritate the mouth lining and cause blood blister formation.
- Communicate with your dentist about past blood blister issues during dental procedures.
By adhering to these tips, you can lower the risk of mouth blood blister development. If a blood blister occurs, it’s typically harmless and will resolve within days. However, seek dental or medical attention if it persists or causes discomfort.
When Should You See a Doctor for a Blood Blister in the Mouth
Wondering when to consult for a mouth blood blister? Mostly, these heal within a week or two. But, there are times to seek medical help:
- Large or recurring blisters: If big or persistent, consult a doctor or dentist. It could signal an underlying issue.
- Poorly-fitted dentures or braces: If these cause mouth irritation, visit a dentist for adjustments.
- Difficulty eating or speaking: If the blister hampers eating, speaking, or swallowing, see a doctor or dentist.
- Serious underlying condition: Rarely, it might signify oral herpes or low platelet count. For concerns, seek medical evaluation.
When uncertain, seeking professional aid is wise. Doctors can assess and decide on necessary treatment.
Are There Any Home Remedies to Treat Blood Blisters in the Mouth
Various home remedies could potentially address blood blisters in the mouth. While these remedies offer potential relief, it’s crucial to emphasize that they do not serve as a substitute for expert medical counsel. Consider the following home remedies:
- Icing: Directly applying an ice cube to the blood blister may aid in reducing inflammation, swelling, and redness. Maintain the ice cube on the blister for up to 10 minutes, multiple times daily. Gentle pressure can also assist in halting any bleeding.
- Cucumber slices: Cucumbers possess remedial attributes that might contribute to managing blood blisters. Apply a cucumber slice to the blood blister for several minutes, a few times throughout the day. Alternatively, hydrate with cucumber-infused water for potential benefits.
- Witch hazel: Witch hazel, acclaimed for its anti-inflammatory properties, can be advantageous. Immerse a cotton swab in witch hazel and gently apply it to the blood blister. Allow a brief period with your mouth open to facilitate drying. Reiterate this process multiple times daily until the blister convalesces.
- Turmeric: Turmeric harbors anti-inflammatory characteristics that might assist in mitigating inflammation stemming from blood blisters. Fabricate a paste using turmeric powder and water, subsequently applying it to the blister. Sustain the application for a few minutes before rinsing. Reiterate this procedure several times daily.
- Garlic paste or oil: Garlic’s antimicrobial qualities potentially fend off infection. Crush a garlic clove to formulate a paste or utilize garlic oil, applying it to the blood blister. Retain the application for a few minutes prior to rinsing. Reiterate this protocol several times daily.
It is essential to underscore that the effectiveness of these home remedies may vary among individuals. Should a blood blister persist, exacerbate, or induce severe discomfort, seeking professional medical guidance from a dentist or doctor is strongly advised.
