What Could a Red, Painless Bump on My Lip Indicate?

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

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Painless swelling on the lips could be related to a mucocele (a clogged salivary gland) or an STD like syphilis.

Explanation

A red, painless bump on your lip could be caused by a number of issues. A common cause of lip swelling that is typically painless is a mucocele - a harmless cyst filled with mucus due to a clogged salivary gland. Often times, these will improve on their own with time. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease which can cause painless sores around the mouth or genitals. If you are sexually active, consider discussing STD testing with your healthcare provider. Canker sores, STDs like herpes, pimples, and other inflammatory causes of swelling on and around the lips are typically painful. If the bump grows, changes appearance, or you have other concerns, it is a good idea to have it looked at by a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation.

(References)

Lugović-Mihić L, Pilipović K, Crnarić I, Šitum M, Duvančić T. Differential Diagnosis of Cheilitis - How to Classify Cheilitis? Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Jun;57(2):342-351. doi: 10.20471/acc.2018.57.02.16. PMID: 30431729; PMCID: PMC6531998.
Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482197/
Krishnan B, Basu D, Daniel JM. A discrete swelling of the upper lip: a diagnostic and clinical stepladder. J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2014 Sep;13(3):300-4. doi: 10.1007/s12663-013-0531-6. Epub 2013 May 5. PMID: 25018604; PMCID: PMC4082540.

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