Pimple in Mouth

About the Symptom

Oral lesions and growths are the growths that occur at any site in the oral cavity, namely gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue. They commonly occur due to trauma, infection, inflammation and underlying medical conditions.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Spots in mouth

Possible Causes

Generally, Pimple in mouth can be related to:

• Stomatitis

  Inflammation of the mouth surface causes ulcers. Various factors can cause this, such as vitamin deficiencies, medications, and autoimmunity (the body's immune system attacking itself). Often, no clear cause is found, and the ulcers heal on their own.

• Cheilitis

  Inflammation of the lips. Causes include infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal) and irritants, such as constant contact with saliva or excessive dryness.

• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM)

  HFMD (Hand-foot-mouth disease) is a highly contagious viral infection. To prevent transmission, patients should wash their hands regularly and avoid going to school until the ulcers have healed and the rashes have dried up. Patients often eat and drink less due to painful mouth ulcers, so it's important to monitor for dehydration and encourage food and water intake.

• Zinc or Biotin Deficiency
• Candidiasis (Oral, Hands and Feet)
• Herpangina
• Sweet Syndrome
• Tuberous Sclerosis

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Pimple in mouth may be related to these serious diseases:

• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome / Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

  This serious condition affects the skin and mucous membranes, causing rashes, blisters, and peeling. It can be life threatening. The cause may be a reaction to medication, an infection, or environmental and genetic factors. Those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.

• Scarlet Fever

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you noticed a lump or bump in your mouth?
• When did you first notice a lump in your mouth?
• How often do you experience a lump in your mouth?
• How is your lump or bump in the mouth now?
• Do you have painful spots or boils in your mouth when eating hot or cold food?

Find Similar Symptoms

References

• Zahid E, Bhatti O, Zahid MA, Stubbs M. Overview of common oral lesions. Malays Fam Physician. 2022 Aug 1;17(3):9-21. doi: 10.51866/rv.37. PMID: 36606178; PMCID: PMC9809440.