Learn causes, treatments, and when to seek help for white bumps on lips. Identify milia, Fordyce spots, herpes simplex, and oral thrush. Get essential info now!
White spots on the lips are hella common. Some are totally harmless and go away on their own. Others can be a symptom of an underlying health condition that may require medical attention. Here’s everything you need to know about ’em and potential treatments to consider.
Causes of white bumps on lips
Two of the most common causes of white bumps on the lips aremiliaand Fordyce spots. They can also be a symptom of health conditions such asherpes simplex,oral thrush, or oral cancer. Here are the deets.
These small, firm white bumps occur when dead skin cells get trapped in the skin. They’re very common in babies but older peeps can get them, too. While they normally occur on the face, you’re able to also get them on your lips.
Fordyce spots
Fordyce spots are enlarged sebaceous (aka oil) glandswithouta hair follicle. They tend to be tiny — about 1 to 3 millimeters (mm) — but can still be annoying AF. The spots can appear in the dozens, especially on the inner portion of the lips.
According to a2015 case report, they affect up to 80 percent of adults at some point in their lives and are more common with advanced age, in people with oily skin, and in people with some rheumatic disorders or non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
Herpes simplex
Oral herpescan trigger a cold sore outbreak on or around the lips. They might start as small white bumps with a reddish border. Eventually, they can develop into painful, fluid-filledulcers.
Theherpes simplex virus (HSV)can be passed by having intimate contact with someone who carries the virus (likeoral sexorkissing). It can also bespreadby sharing towels, dishes, utensils, or razors.
Oral thrush
Thisfungal infectioncan cause white lesions or bumps on the mouth, lips, tonsils, or gums. The most common oral thrush fungus strain isCandida albicans.
Factors like a weakened immune system can increase your risk.Diabetesand certain medications — like prednisone, antibiotics, or inhaled corticosteroids — may also up your chances of getting oral thrush.
Oral cancer
An estimated10.5 per 100,000 adultswill develop oral cancer. One possible symptom is a white bump with a raised or flat texture on or in the mouth or lips.
Some potential oral cancer causes include:
Pictures of white spots on lips
When to see a doctor
White bumps on your lips or mouth are usually harmless. In most cases, they’re asymptomatic and will go away on their own.
However, you should talk with a healthcare professional if you experience:
You should also see a healthcare pro if your white bumps continue to spread or if they don’t disappear after two weeks.
How to get a diagnosis
In most cases, a healthcare professional can diagnose the white bumps on your lips with a quick in-office visit. They will ask for your full medical history and do a physical examination. This will include feeling your face, jaw, and lymph nodes for swelling.
In some situations, your doctor will swab your lip and run a lab test. This will help determine if fungi, viruses, or bacteria are to blame.
If your doctor suspects your white bump is a symptom of oral cancer, they can take a tissue sample and test it for cancerous cells. They might also run a blood test to see if the herpes virus is the cause.
Treatment options
Treating the white bumps on your lips depends on what’s causing them. Here’s a quick rundown of possible solutions.
These little buggers rarely require treatment. They usually go away on their own. If not, your doctor can suggest laser treatments or electrosurgery to get rid of them for good.
There’s currently no cure forherpes simplex. The good news is that antiviral medications can curb symptoms and keep outbreaks at bay.
Antifungal medications, topical antiseptics, and dietary supplements can treat oral thrush. For mild to moderate infections, theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)suggests an antifungal mouth rinse for 7 to 14 days. Severe infections may require more potent prescription medications.
Pro tip: You can reduce your risk of oral thrush by keeping youroral healthin check. So take care of those chompers! 😁
Oral cancer isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. Treatments depend on the severity of symptoms and if cancer has spread to other areas. Common options include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to remove affected areas.
Home remedies
Milia can often be treated at home. Here’s how to do it safely.
Psst. Keep in mind that milia are stubborn. It might take a few months until you notice a big difference. You might even need professional help to get rid of ’em.
OTC exfoliating products
Exfoliantshelp slough off dead skin cells, making room for newer ones. This can leave your skin feeling fresh and soft.
Some popular chemical exfoliants include salicylic acid orglycolic acid.
Facial peels
Like chemicalexfoliants, facial peels can help remove dead skin cells and give your skin a more even appearance.
FYI: ensure you only use a light chemical peel. Super strong peels should only be done by a licensed professional. Additionally, somestudiessuggest strong peels can actually make milia worse.
Steam can help open your pores and flush out oils and other debris. Here’s how you do it:
Btw, taking a hot steamy shower can also do the trick.
Retinoid creamscontainvitamin A, an essential nutrient for skin health. Someresearchersthink retinoids can help reduce the appearance of milia. However, it’s best to talk with a dermatologist before using retinoids or retinol —they can be irritating for some people.
Frequently asked questions
Are Fordyce spots an STD?
Nope! Fordyce spots are not transmitted sexually. In fact, they’re not transmitted at all! They’re totally harmless and aren’t a symptom ofHPV,HIV, or herpes.
How do you treat white bumps on lips?
Treating white bumps on your lips totes depend on the cause. They can appear naturally without any rhyme or reason. In this situation, they’re nothing to worry about and will usually go away on their own. You can also try a DIY method like light:
However, white bumps caused by a virus, health condition, or fungal infection may require medical attention. A healthcare professional will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and suggest the best treatments for your sitch. This may include:
Do white spots on lips go away?
Yes and no. In most cases, white spots on your lips will go away either on their own or with the help of home remedies. However, milia and other forms of white bumps are known to be stubborn. It can take several months or longer to see an improvement.
There are lots of reasons why you might have white bumps on or around your lips. Many people will experience them thanks to clogged pores or overactive oil glands. However, white bumps can also be a symptom of a medical condition such as herpes simplex, oral thrush, or oral cancer.
You should talk with a healthcare professional if you have additional symptoms like fever, discolored skin, pus or bleeding, trouble swallowing, or swelling. They can get to the root of the problem and suggest the best way to send those bumps packing.
