Small White Bumps on Lips – Causes and Treatment

Most people have experienced small white bumps on lips. If you have also experienced these bumps at some point in your life, then you may have been worried if these bumps are harmful. You may have heard that white bumps on your lips may be the result of sexually transmitted diseases.

Regardless of whether they are harmful or not, there is no doubt that these bumps can lower your self-confidence and make you feel embarrassed in front of other people. The best way is to treat white bumps immediately because it will help you feel self-confident again.

Small white bumps can appear on your lower, upper or inner lip, but you can also experience white bumps on corner of lips or along your lip line. If you see white bumps on lips pictures, you will see that these bumps vary in size and shape. They can be very small or bigger in size and they can be either flat or raised. You can have one or more white bumps on your lips.

White bumps on your lips can be either painful or painless. Sometimes these bumps can also appear on your face or on some other parts of your body, but in this article we will tell you something more about the white bumps that appear on lips.

What are the causes of white bumps on your lips? Are white bumps harmless? Can they be a symptom of any serious disease? How to get rid of white bumps on lips? Is it possible to prevent white bumps to appear? In this article you will get the answers to these and similar questions.

We will tell you something more about the possible causes of white bumps on your lips and we will also tell you how to treat them. If you have ever experienced small white bumps on your lips, this article will be very interesting and useful for you.

The Causes of White Bumps on Lips

Fordyce Spots. If you notice small white bumps on your upper lip, actually on the border of your upper lip and your face, then you have probably Fordyce spots.

Fordyce spots are usually white or yellowish, but they can also be skin-colored or even pale red. The size of these spots is between 1 and 3 mm. Fordyce spots usually appear when a sebaceous gland doesn’t contain a hair follicle. It is believed that Fordyce spots are present at birth, but they start to grow and they become more visible in puberty. Many studies have shown that about 80-95% of adults have experienced Fordyce spots.

Although Fordyce spots may be unpleasant, they are not associated with any disease or illness. These spots are absolutely harmless and painless, so there is no reason to worry. If you have Fordyce spots on your lips, you don’t have to worry because these spots are not the symptom of any sexually transmitted disease. These spots affect both male and female of all ages.

In most cases Fordyce spots don’t require any treatment, but if they are cosmetic concern for you, then you should remove them. Below you will see more about the treatment of Fordyce spots.

Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV). Little white bumps on lips may also be caused by human papillomavirus infection. This infection may affect your genital areas, as well as your mouth or throat. Also, it may be associated with mouth cancer.

They are painless and in most cases they are small, but sometimes these bumps may also be bigger and spiky. White bumps that are caused by human papillomavirus infection usually appear in clusters and they are fluid-filled.

Milia. Milia is a condition that refers to white, hard and small bumps that usually occur in babies, but sometimes they may also occur in teens and adults. These small white bumps keep on coming and disappearing from your lips. Milia can also appear in the inner surface of your cheeks or on the border of your upper lip.

These small and white bumps are usually caused by sun damage or certain ingredients in the products for lip care. Sometimes, these bumps may be the result of an allergic reaction to fluoride in your toothpaste.

Oral Acne. White bumps on your lips may also be a sign of acne. Acne outbreaks are usually caused by clogged pores. Other factors that may also cause acne are hormonal imbalance and poor skin care.

Oral Thrush. Oral thrush is another cause of white bumps on your lips. These bumps usually appear patchy. Oral thrush is caused by candida albicans and other fungal infections.

Also, oral thrush usually appears in women who use control birth pills. There are also many other factors that can cause white bumps to appear on your lips, such as diabetes, anemia, pregnancy, cancer or HIV infection. All these conditions may increase the risk of oral thrush.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). If there are white bumps on your lips, then you may have herpes simplex virus. These bumps usually appear in the form of white blisters on your lips and they may be itchy and painful. These blisters are caused by a viral infection that is transmitted by skin contact, such as kissing or sharing utensils. These blisters are also called fever or cold sores blisters.

These bumps are filled with fluid and they usually appear in clusters. They appear on the corner of lips and they tend to merge before they burst. Other symptoms of oral herpes may be also swollen neck glands and fever.

Canker Sores. Canker sores are another cause of tiny white bumps on lips. These bumps are usually white or yellow and they have red edges. They are painful and they usually appear as patches. They may appear on your lips but also on the inner part of your cheeks. Although these bumps may be unpleasant and painful, they are not cancerous, so they will probably go away within two or three weeks.

Canker sores usually appear if you have iron, zinc or folic acid deficiency. Also, an allergic reaction to certain foods may cause canker sores. Other possible causes of canker sores are gastrointestinal diseases and also weakened immune system.

Vitiligo. Vitiligo may also be the cause of white patches on your lips. As you probably know, vitiligo is associated with a loss of pigmentation on your lips. The most common causes of vitiligo are autoimmune diseases as well as cancer.

Mucous Cysts. Mucous cysts are actually sacs that are filled with fluid. These small white bumps on inside of lips are tender to touch and they are usually whitish. These bumps usually appear if you are biting your lips too much or if you have a lip piercing.

Contact Allergy. Did you know that contact with titanium and some other chemicals can also cause white bumps to appear on your lips? These chemicals cause an allergy that is followed by white bumps, burning sensation and swelling. Also, your lip may start to peel in the case of contact allergy.

Trauma or Bruising on Mouth. A trauma to your lips may also be the cause of white bumps. For example, if you bite your lips frequently, you are likely to have these bumps. Actually, when the wound heals, there will be a small scar that may look like a white bump.

Fibroma. A white bump in the oral cavity may also be caused by a benign tumor called fibroma. In this case the bump in your mouth may be whitish but also pink. Fibroma is usually caused by lip biting or teeth grinding.

Oral Cancer. One of the most serious causes of white bumps on your lips may be the oral cancer. In this case you will have a flat and painless white spot on your lip, but it will grow and become much harder. This white bump will look like an ulcer on your lip.

And what may be the cause of oral cancer? Studies have shown that people who smoke and drink are more likely to get oral cancer. Also, people who are exposed to sun very much as well as people with HPV infections have a higher risk of oral cancer. Genetic factor has also an important role and it can increase the risk of oral cancer. If someone in your family has an oral cancer, you are more likely to have it, so if you notice any white bumps on your lips, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.

HIV. Many studies have shown that HIV can increase the risk of oral thrush and canker sores. People who have HIV are more likely to have white bumps or patches on their lips or in their mouth cavity.

Other Causes. There are also many other possible causes of white bumps on your lips or inside your mouth. Common reasons for white bumps are also lip dryness or a bacterial infection. Sometimes sunburned lip blisters may also be the cause of white bumps.

Also, white bumps may be caused by skin reactions to oils that are found in mangoes and in some other fruits. Some people have noticed white bumps on their lips after they have undergone juvederm, filler that is injected into thin lips to improve their appearance.

Stress may also have an impact and it may increase the risk of getting white spots on your lips. It is known that the body will produce excess oil that can lead to acne breakouts.

As you can see, there are so many causes for white bumps on your lips, so it is recommended to see a doctor to get the right diagnosis and the proper treatment.


The Treatment of White Bumps on Lips

In order to treat white bumps on lips properly, you have to find out the underlying cause of these bumps first. When you know what is the cause of white bumps on your lips, it will be much easier to get rid of them.

The Treatment of Fordyce Spots. As we have already said, Fordyce spots are harmless and they usually go away without any treatment. But, if they are a cosmetic concern, then it will be easy to get rid of them. Most important is to maintain adequate hygiene and to use anti-bacterial soap.

Also, it is recommended to make some changes in your diet. Your diet should be healthy and balanced and it should provide you with all necessary nutrients. Also, some topical creams and gels that contain Tretinon are recommended for the removal of Fordyce spots. There are also many laser treatments that will help you get rid of these spots and increase your self-confidence.

The Treatment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). If you have white bumps that are caused by human papillomavirus, sometimes these spots may disappear without any treatment, but in most cases it is not possible to cure HPV. It is shown that HPV vaccines may reduce the risk of cancer, but it is not known if HPV vaccines can reduce the risk of oral cancer as well.

It is recommended to visit your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any ulcers on your lips that don’t disappear for more than two weeks. Also, if bumps on your lips are painful or if they are swelling, then you will need medical help.

The Treatment of Milia. If white bumps on your lips are caused by milia, it is best to see your doctor. The doctor will probably prescribe you retinol and also exfoliation, which is considered the best treatment for milia.

The Treatment of Oral Thrush. If the underlying cause of white spots on your lips is oral thrush, then you will need to use some antifungal medications that will help you get rid of these bumps.

The Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). If white bumps and blisters on your lips are caused by herpes simplex virus, the treatment includes both oral and topical antiviral medications. But, sometimes this condition can also disappear on its own within a week or two.

However, you should know that this virus can appear again, especially if your immune system is too weak and it usually appears in people who have cancer or other medical conditions. In order to prevent the herpes virus to come back, you should boost your immune system all the time.

The Treatment of Canker Sores. As we have already said, canker sores are not harmful, so in most cases no treatment will be needed. However, if canker sores are severe and very painful, it is best to see your doctor.

The Treatment of Vitiligo. When it comes to the treatment of vitiligo, it usually includes tropical therapies, psoralen photochemotherapy and also depigmentation. In the case of vitiligo some people also opt for tattooing.

The Treatment of Mucous Cysts. As we have already said, mucous cysts are usually painless and harmless, so in most cases they don’t require any treatment. But, if you have a couple of these whitish bumps inside your lip or inside your mouth, you will need an adequate treatment.

The treatment of mucous cysts includes laser therapy and cryotherapy.

The Treatment of Contact Allergy. In order to treat contact allergy that may be the cause of white bumps, you should use antihistamines. It is also important to avoid any contact with allergens.

The Treatment of Fibroma. If white bumps in your oral cavity are caused by fibroma, then you will need to remove it surgically.

The Treatment of Oral Cancer. As we all know, in most cases cancer is incurable, but if you diagnose it in its early stage, then it would be possible to cure it. The treatment will include chemotherapy and also radiation therapy and it will be also necessary to remove the cancerous growth.

In order to prevent oral cancer, it is recommended to have regular dental checkups. If you detect these bumps in their early stage, it would be possible to treat them.

Tips and Home Remedies for the Treatment of White Bumps on Lips

These are some of the most common treatments if you have white bumps on your lips. We will also give you some useful tips that may help you get rid of them. Most important is to avoid picking the bumps because it can increase the risk of getting an infection.

It is also recommended to rinse your mouth with warm salty water. You can simply add a ½ teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and to swish it in your mouth for a while. It is also recommended to apply honey in order to get rid of white bumps on your lips. You can simply put a little honey on the affected area on your lips and you should let it stay overnight.

If these tips don’t help you and if you notice that your jaw or your neck is swelling, then you should see your doctor. Also, if you have fever, sore throat or if your bump is bleeding, it may be the symptom of a more serious disease. In this case, it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Summary

As you have seen in this article, white bumps on lips can make you feel embarrassed or less-confident in front of other people. In most cases these bumps are harmless but sometimes they can be a cosmetic concern, so it will be best to get rid of them. We have shown you how to treat these white bumps properly and how to prevent new bumps to appear.

As we have already said, white bumps on your lips can be very small and they are usually painless. Sometimes they may also be bigger and painful and they may appear in clusters. In most cases white bumps are harmless and they will go away after a couple of days or maybe weeks. As we have already said, white bumps may appear on your upper lip or on your lower lip, but also inside your lip or in oral cavity.

The causes of white bumps on your lips may be different. Most common causes of white bumps are Fordyce spots, Milia, Herpes simplex virus, Human papillomavirus infection, Canker sores, Mucous cysts, contact allergy, oral acne, oral thrush or even oral cancer. It is also proved that people who are smoking or drinking excessively as well as people with cancer or other similar conditions are more likely to get these white bumps on their lips.

As you have seen, there are so many possible reasons for white bumps to appear on your lips and you will have to find out the underlying cause, in order to treat these bumps properly.

We hope this article has been useful for you and we are sure that you will not panic the next time you notice white bumps on your lips. As we have already said, in most cases these bumps are harmless and there is no need to worry. But, if white bumps on your lips don’t go away after two weeks or more, it would be best to consult your doctor. The doctor will give you the right diagnosis and you will know how to treat these bumps properly.

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