What Are the Possible Causes of a Small White Bump on My Lip?

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

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

A small white bump on your lip can be caused by several things such as Fordyce spots, aphthous ulcers, or even minor infections. Most of these bumps are harmless, but it’s good to keep an eye on them.

Explanation

There are a few reasons you might see a small white bump on your lip. One common cause is Fordyce spots. These are tiny, visible bumps that form when small oil glands show on the lip. They are completely normal and not a disease. Another possibility is an aphthous ulcer, which can look white when it’s healing; these small sores often develop after small injuries or stress. Sometimes, a minor viral or fungal infection might cause a white lesion on the lip as well, though these conditions often include other symptoms like pain or redness. In most cases, these bumps are not serious and do not require treatment. However, if you notice changes in the bump, such as it growing larger, becoming painful, or changing color, it is a good idea to see a doctor to be sure everything is okay.

(References)

Woo SB, Sonis ST. Recurrent aphthous ulcers: a review of diagnosis and treatment. J Am Dent Assoc. 1996 Aug;127(8):1202-13. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.1996.0412. PMID: 8803396.
Glick M, Siegel MA. Viral and fungal infections of the oral cavity in immunocompetent patients. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1999 Dec;13(4):817-31, vi. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5520(05)70110-0. PMID: 10579110.
Lee JH, Lee JH, Kwon NH, Yu DS, Kim GM, Park CJ, Lee JD, Kim SY. Clinicopathologic Manifestations of Patients with Fordyce's Spots. Ann Dermatol. 2012 Feb;24(1):103-6. doi: 10.5021/ad.2012.24.1.103. Epub 2012 Feb 2. PMID: 22363169; PMCID: PMC3283840.
Stoopler ET, Sollecito TP. Oral mucosal diseases: evaluation and management. Med Clin North Am. 2014 Nov;98(6):1323-52. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2014.08.006. Epub 2014 Sep 22. PMID: 25443679.

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