Published on: 3/5/2025
It is unlikely that a clear bump on the inside of your lip is an STD. More often, such a bump can be a harmless condition like a mucocele.
A clear bump inside your lip is usually not caused by a sexually transmitted disease. When a bump like this appears, one common possibility is a mucocele. A mucocele happens when saliva gets trapped under the lip, usually after a small injury such as accidentally biting your lip. This kind of bump is filled with fluid and is benign, meaning it is not harmful. In the literature on oral manifestations of sexually transmitted diseases, lesions caused by STDs typically appear as painful sores, ulcers, or lesions with a different look than a clear bump. Oral HPV infections, for example, often lead to wart-like or white lesions rather than clear fluid-filled bumps. Therefore, if your bump is clear and not painful, it is more likely related to a minor injury or irritation rather than an STD. If you are ever uncertain about any changes in your mouth or lips, it’s a good idea to have them checked by a healthcare provider. This explanation is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.
(References)
Bruce AJ, Rogers RS 3rd. Oral manifestations of sexually transmitted diseases. Clin Dermatol. 2004 Nov-Dec;22(6):520-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.07.005. PMID: 15596324.
Kreimer AR, Bhatia RK, Messeguer AL, González P, Herrero R, Giuliano AR. Oral human papillomavirus in healthy individuals: a systematic review of the literature. Sex Transm Dis. 2010 Jun;37(6):386-91. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3181c94a3b. PMID: 20081557.
Kim SM. Human papilloma virus in oral cancer. J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2016 Dec;42(6):327-336. doi: 10.5125/jkaoms.2016.42.6.327. Epub 2016 Dec 27. PMID: 28053902; PMCID: PMC5206237.
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