Why Do I Have a Bump on My Lip? - Talk Radio News Service

Some people have a bump on their lip due to a mole or a cold sore. Others may have a lipoma, which is a type of fatty tumor under the skin.

Some people might have been born with a lump on their lip from an excess of tissue.

If you are worried about any bump on your lip, you should go see your doctor to make sure it is not something more serious.

A bump on your lip can also be caused by many different things. The most common are cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Other causes of bumps on the lip are allergies, which can cause swelling and irritation on the skin of the lips. Some people also experience swelling on their lips after eating hot or spicy foods or drinking alcohol.

What Can Cause a Bump on the Lip?

A bump on the lip can be caused by a few different things. Most commonly, this will be caused by the cold sore virus, which is also called herpes simplex virus type 1. This virus can also cause blisters inside the mouth, which is called oral herpes.

The bumps on the lip are often mistaken for canker sores. Canker sores are very painful and can even cause ulcers to form in your mouth.

Other causes of bumps on the lip could be due to an allergic reaction, or it could be a sign of an infection. If you have any symptoms that are suspicious of infection, you should go see your doctor to determine what is wrong with you and how best to treat it. Let's take a look at some of the main causes of lip bumps.

Causes

Cold Sores

Cold Sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes of an infected person. Cold sores are most often found on the mouth, chin, nose, cheeks, and forehead.

The bumps are red lesions that appear to have a white center. They're contagious when they're in the blister stage. Cold sores heal on their own after about 10 days. There's no treatment to prevent them from coming back.

Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an unpleasant viral infection that can affect the mouth, hands, and feet. It's common in children under 5 years. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, upset stomach, and a bump on the lip.

You can get hand, foot, and mouth disease by touching something that has the virus on it or by not washing your hands after you use the bathroom. The best way to avoid getting hand, foot, and mouth disease is to wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or changing diapers.

You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you don't have access to soap and water.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by bacteria. Syphilis can cause a bump on the lip or mouth after an incubation period of 2-6 weeks.

Syphilis can also cause a hard sore at the point of infection and a rash.

The sore usually heals within 3-6 weeks with or without treatment and the rash goes away within 2-5 weeks with or without treatment. If left untreated, the infection will spread to the brain, heart, bones, and joints.

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush, also called candidiasis, is a yeast infection that can form on the inside of the mouth or on the tongue. Thrush can also appear as a bump on the lip. The only way to know if you have oral thrush is to see a doctor.

While oral thrush is not life-threatening, it can cause discomfort, pain, and difficulty eating or swallowing. Those with the condition may also experience a change in taste, bad breath, and an increase in plaque buildup on their teeth.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions can cause a bump on the lip. Some people are allergic to plants or animals, while others are allergic to specific foods. These allergies can produce reactions in different areas of the body, but a common reaction is a bump on the lip.

A bump on the lip can also be caused by a bug bite. Insect bites, like tick bites and mosquito bites, may cause swelling on your face. If the insect bite is on your lip, you may have a bump on your lip as well.

Fordyce Spots

Fordyce spots are small bumps that occur on the lip. They are usually harmless and can be removed with a laser treatment. However, they can also be caused by other medical conditions like syphilis, oral herpes, or candida yeast infections.

There are many treatments for these bumps that range from laser surgery to topical antifungal creams.

Canker Sores

Canker sores can cause a bump on the lip, and they can be painful. Canker sores are usually caused by a virus. Canker sores can also occur when you eat acidic food like citrus or tomatoes. Canker sores can last between one and two weeks.

Mucoceles

Many people have small lumps on their lips. This is generally nothing to worry about, but in some cases, it can be a Mucocele. Mucoceles are benign cysts that are most common in adults between the ages of 25-40.

They are caused by blocked glands that become blocked due to excess mucus or saliva that accumulates in the gland. The body tries to protect the gland by producing tissue to block the opening of the gland which causes a buildup of fluid due to an increased flow.

This can result in a bump on the lip which will eventually disappear on its own if it is only a mucocele.

Milia

Milia are typically harmless and can be seen on the lips, cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, and eyelids. They are typically white or yellow and can be found in clusters.

Milia are caused when the body's natural oil glands produce an excessive amount of skin cells. The skin cells form a plug in the hair follicle that traps the sebum (a lubricating oil secreted by the sebaceous glands) in that follicle.

Perioral Dermatitis

Perioral dermatitis, also called periorificial dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes a bump on the lip. The bump is red and inflamed and itchy. It may be scaly or crusty in texture. The rash may cover the mouth, chin, and cheeks.

Perioral dermatitis is often seen in people who have rosacea. Sometimes it is caused by a reaction to certain medications, such as antibiotics or a blood pressure medication called captopril.

Other causes include sun exposure, trauma to the area, or an allergic reaction to a cosmetic ingredient in a product you are using.

Final Thoughts

Bumps are quite common on the lips, most of the time they are harmless, but they can also be signs of an infection. When you start to feel a bump on your lip it is important to stop picking at it.

This will just irritate it more and make the problem worse. If you notice that the bump continues to get larger, redder, or white pus starts to come out then it may be time to see a doctor.