Causes of Blood Blisters in the Mouth
There are several blood blisters in the mouth causes, some more common than others. Conditions or actions which may cause a blood blister in the mouth include:
Soft tissue trauma (friction, cuts, etc.)
Allergic reactions
Vitamin deficiencies
Viral infections (including oral herpes, chickenpox, and shingles)
Diabetes
Angina bullosa haemorrhagica
Low platelet count (Thrombocytopenia )
Angina Bullosa Haemorrhagica
One of the lesser-known causes of blood blisters in the mouth is angina bullosa haemorrhagica (ABH), a rare condition most common in those over 40.
ABH causes blood blisters to occur within the mouth, typically on or under the tongue or on your gums. These blisters are usually painful and last only a short time before bursting and leaving a shallow ulcer, which should heal without scarring. Some blisters caused by angina bullosa haemorrhagica last for as little as a couple of minutes before bursting.
Most blisters caused by ABH are not serious, but as they can be painful and potentially disruptive, it is best to speak to a doctor if you believe you are suffering from the condition .
Causes of ABH
Though the exact cause of angina bullosa haemorrhagica is not yet known, trauma is the most commonly cited precipitating factor. Over half the reported cases of ABH occur after minor traumas, including:
Unfortunately, ABH will not always have a distinct cause. You should contact your doctor if you believe you are suffering from angina bullosa haemorrhagica.
Tissue Trauma
Most blood blisters in the mouth will form following small traumas, including biting the tongue or cheek accidentally and when reacting to dental injections.
Sharp teeth and broken fillings are also capable of causing small traumas within the mouth and, in turn, blisters.
Tissue Burn
Another especially common blood blister in the mouth is burns. Commonly occurring after biting into hot food or sipping on a scalding drink, mouth burns can lead to painful and blistered sores that include blood blisters in the mouth.
If you burn your mouth, take care to keep it as clean as possible, as this can speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of infection. Use saltwater or antimicrobial rinses and try to limit smoking.
Tissue Irritation
Mouth tissue can become irritated for several reasons. Friction, often caused by braces, is a common cause of sores and blood blisters in the mouth as damaged tissue blisters over to protect itself and heal.
Irritation within the mouth also stems from habits, including biting your fingernails, chewing on pens or straws, and chewing tobacco. These habits can not only lead to blood blisters and sores but also worsen existing sores in the mouth.
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is the scientific name given to a low platelet count. Your platelets are blood cells that help blood clot.
Platelet count can drop for several reasons, with the most common thrombocytopenia causes including:
As a low platelet count makes it more difficult for blood to clot, a common thrombocytopenia symptom is blood blisters, which occur as blood finds it easier to leak into blister sacs .
Allergies
Allergies can cause irritation and trauma within the mouth which leads to blood blisters. Some allergies are more likely to cause blood blisters in the mouth than others; these include allergies to:
Highly acidic foods (citrus fruits, etc.)
Cinnamon
Astringents (chemicals that constrict body tissues, often used in toothpaste)
