Why Do I Have a Bump on the Inside of My Lip?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

A bump on the inside of your lip can be a harmless small cyst called a mucocele or an aphthous ulcer from irritation or trauma. Although many bumps are not serious, it’s important to watch for changes like growth, pain, or changes in color and have a doctor check it if you’re worried.

Explanation

There are a few reasons you might have a bump on the inside of your lip. One common cause is a mucocele. This happens when a salivary gland gets a little blocked, and a bubble of clear fluid forms. These bumps often appear on the lower lip and are usually soft and not painful. Another possibility is an aphthous ulcer, which you might notice as a sore that can hurt and sometimes appear after minor injuries or stress. Rarely, a bump on the lip could also be an early sign of something more serious like oral cancer, especially if it changes size, color, or texture over time. Usually, if you have a bump that doesn’t cause any discomfort, it may simply be a reaction to biting your lip or another minor injury. However, it’s smart to keep an eye on it and see a doctor if you notice any new changes or if it starts to hurt, so they can make sure it’s nothing serious.

(References)

Sciubba JJ. Oral cancer. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2(4):239-51. doi: 10.2165/00128071-200102040-00005. PMID: 11705251.
Rhee SH, Kim YB, Lee ES. Comparison of Behcet's disease and recurrent aphthous ulcer according to characteristics of gastrointestinal symptoms. J Korean Med Sci. 2005 Dec;20(6):971-6. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2005.20.6.971. PMID: 16361807; PMCID: PMC2779329.
Chaitanya P, Praveen D, Reddy M. Mucocele on Lower Lip: A Case Series. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017 May-Jun;8(3):205-207. doi: 10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_151_16. PMID: 28584760; PMCID: PMC5447343.
Bansal S, Shaikh S, Desai RS, Ahmad I, Puri P, Prasad P, Shirsat P, Gundre D. Spectrum of Lip Lesions in a Tertiary Care Hospital: An Epidemiological Study of 3009 Indian Patients. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017 Mar-Apr;8(2):115-119. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.202280. PMID: 28405551; PMCID: PMC5372431.

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