Small white bumps on your lips can raise questions. While often harmless, their causes vary from common anatomical variations to specific infections. Understanding these possibilities helps determine if the bumps are normal or require attention.
Understanding Common Harmless Bumps
Many small white bumps on the lips are entirely harmless and represent normal skin variations. Fordyce spots are a frequent example, appearing as tiny, visible sebaceous glands. On the lips, these oil-producing glands are enlarged and open directly onto the skin’s surface, lacking hair follicles. They are commonly found on the vermilion border and inside the mouth.
Fordyce spots appear as small, 1 to 3 millimeter, white or yellowish bumps that are usually painless. They can be single, scattered, or in groups of 50 or more. Present from birth, they become more noticeable after puberty due to hormonal changes. An estimated 70% to 80% of adults have Fordyce spots, which are not associated with any disease or sexually transmitted infection.
Milia are another common, harmless white bump that can appear on the lips. These tiny cysts form when keratin, a protein found in skin, hair, and nails, becomes trapped beneath the skin’s surface. Milia typically present as small, pearly white or yellowish, dome-shaped bumps, usually 1-2 mm in size. While most commonly seen on the face, including around the eyelids, nose, and cheeks, they can also occur on the lips. Unlike some other bumps, milia are not itchy or painful.
Other Potential Explanations
Beyond common harmless variations, other conditions can cause white bumps on the lips, often with distinct characteristics. Oral thrush, or oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection from an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a yeast naturally present in the mouth. This infection typically manifests as creamy white patches or lesions that can be scraped off, sometimes revealing red, inflamed areas underneath. These patches can appear on the lips, tongue, inner cheeks, and throat. Risk factors include antibiotic use, weakened immune systems, smoking, and wearing dentures.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes oral herpes or cold sores, can also present with bumps on the lips. While known for fluid-filled blisters, in early stages or as they heal, these lesions might appear as small white bumps or crusted areas. Cold sores are typically painful, itchy, or cause a tingling sensation before blisters emerge. The blisters usually break open, ooze yellowish fluid, and then form a crust as they heal over 7-10 days.
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin infection caused by a poxvirus that can result in small, firm bumps. Although less common on the lips, it is a possibility. These bumps are typically pearly or flesh-colored, round, and often have a characteristic central dimple. They are generally 2-5 millimeters in diameter and can be itchy.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While many white bumps on the lips are benign, certain signs indicate medical attention is needed. If bumps are accompanied by pain, itching, burning, or a tingling sensation, seek professional evaluation. Similarly, any rapid changes in size, shape, or color, or if they begin to bleed or produce pus, warrant a doctor’s visit.
Additional symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing, or if the bumps spread to other areas of the mouth or body, should prompt immediate consultation. If the bumps are persistent, cause discomfort, or if you are uncertain about their cause, a medical diagnosis can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Approaches to Management and Treatment
For harmless bumps like Fordyce spots and milia, treatment is generally not necessary, as they pose no health risk. Fordyce spots are a normal anatomical variation requiring no medical intervention. If a cosmetic concern, procedures like laser therapy or electrosurgery may be considered, but must be performed by a qualified healthcare professional. Milia often resolve on their own, but a dermatologist can remove them through methods like cryotherapy, topical retinoid products, or extraction if desired for cosmetic reasons.
When white bumps are caused by conditions like oral thrush or herpes simplex virus, medical treatment is required. Oral thrush is typically treated with antifungal medications, available as creams, lozions, or oral medications. For herpes simplex virus infections, antiviral medications can help manage symptoms, shorten outbreak duration, and reduce recurrence frequency. Self-treatment is not advised for these conditions, as proper diagnosis and prescription are crucial for effective management. Maintaining good lip hygiene, such as keeping lips hydrated, can support overall lip health.