Published on: 3/5/2025
Tiny bumps near the corners of the lips could be caused by cold sores, Fordyce spots, or angular cheilitis. Each of these conditions has its own features and may need different care.
There are a few possible causes for tiny bumps at the corners of your lips. One possibility is cold sores. Cold sores start as small, fluid-filled bumps and are caused by a virus. They can be painful and sometimes spread to other areas. Another cause could be Fordyce spots, which are tiny, harmless bumps made up of oil glands that appear on the lips and surrounding skin. These spots do not cause pain or problems and simply need no treatment. The third possibility is angular cheilitis, a condition where the corners of the mouth become irritated, red, and sometimes cracked. Angular cheilitis is often linked to a fungal or bacterial infection and can occur when the skin in the mouth’s corners is moist or irritated. If you notice any changes in the bumps, if they cause discomfort, or if they spread, it is important to contact a healthcare provider so they can offer guidance on the best care, using different treatment methods based on the cause.
(References)
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Cold sores. [Updated 2025 Jan 14]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525782/
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.
Federico JR, Basehore BM, Zito PM. Angular Chelitis. [Updated 2023 Mar 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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