What Might a White Bump on My Lip Be?

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

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

A white bump on your lip is usually a benign condition. Most commonly it is related to a mucocele but there are other less common causes.

Explanation

One common cause of a white bump on the lip is a mucocele. A mucocele happens when saliva leaks from a damaged salivary gland, often from a minor injury like biting your lip. It forms a small, fluid-filled sac that can sometimes look white. In addition, white lesions in the mouth can be seen due to irritation or other non-cancerous causes. Most often, they do not require treatment. If the bump is not changing, is not painful, and does not interfere with eating or speaking, it is usually safe to monitor it. However, if you notice changes like growth in size, increased pain, or changes in color, it would be wise to have it evaluated by a healthcare provider. This educational information is meant to help you understand common causes of lip bumps and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

(References)

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.
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.
McKinney R, Olmo H, McGovern B. Benign Chronic White Lesions of the Oral Mucosa. [Updated 2024 Jan 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet].

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