Smoking & Nicotine / Question
Published: May 6, 2004
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I've been smoking cigarettes for six years now along with marijuana. I noticed a small discoloration or a dark spot on my upper lip where I placed my cigarette. It is not a bump but more like a small dark spot on my skin. Just curious as what it might be?
Signed: Dark Spot On Upper Lip
Dear Dark Spot On Upper Lip,
Unfortunately, FX cannot make diagnoses over the Internet, so we cannot tell you for sure what the mark on your lip is. You should definitely make an appointment to see a dermatologist to find out what is going on. He or she can look at what you have found and determine what the best course of action and treatment is for you.
There are many things this mark could be, some of them harmless, and some a little bit more serious. Your cigarettes might be causing local trauma to this area, which can lead to skin discoloration and irritation. You might have burned this area at some point, and this is simply the remaining scar from that. It is possible that this mark is just a mole or other normal skin variation. However, even though you are young, and oral cancer is not very common in teenagers, smoking is one of the most common risk factors for developing cancer of the oral cavity (lip, cheeks, top and bottom of mouth, tongue) and oropharaynx (back of tongue, tonsils, throat). This is why it is really important to see a doctor as soon as possible, because treatment for any type of disease is better if begun as early as possible.
In addition, FX wants to remind you that smoking has a lot of negative effects on your body and it is really a good idea for you to consider stopping your use of cigarettes. For more information you should read Smoking Affects All of Body. And, FX has answered a lot of questions about the harmful effects of marijuana, including Drug Curious- Is Weed Really Not Harmful? and Marijuana's Permanent Side Effects.
If you are in need of a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at 973.971.6475 for an appointment. Otherwise, you should call your family doctor or dermatologist.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
A sexually active teenager who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within one year. 
