Let us guess: A date between you and a magnifying mirror led you to search “white bumps on lips.” And now you’re here, looking for answers related to the little rows of texture bordering your mouth that you, somehow, failed to notice in the past.
Meet the Experts: Dr Michelle Henry, a dermatologist and Dr Ruth McTighe, board-certified dermatologist.
Though it may be something called Fordyce spots (more on that later), it’s likely that whatever is going on is normal. But if the bumps appear along with some concerning symptoms, it may be time to see a doctor for treatment and removal help.
Ahead, find expert insight on the most common type of lip bumps, Fordyce spots, plus other cases of lip skin abnormalities and what they may mean.
Fordyce spots
Fordyce spots are “small pale bumps that can be seen on the lips, sometimes inside the cheeks and you may even see them on the genital region,” explains Dr Michelle Henry. “They are just enlarged oil glands, or we call them sebaceous glands and they are completely benign and very common.” Research shows that between 70 and 80% of adults have them.
Removal should only be done by a dermatologist, Dr Henry adds, because it requires either laser surgery, cryotherapy, other invasive removal methods, or prescription retinoids. However, no treatment is truly necessary. Most importantly: “Avoid manipulating them to prevent irritation,” says Dr Ruth McTighe.
Oral herpes
Oral herpes caused by herpes simplex virus or HSV presents as painful, burning, or itching small blisters along the lip border that are commonly referred to as cold sores. “These lesions eventually break open, crust over and heal within a couple of weeks,” Dr McTighe says, and they are highly contagious.
Milia
Milia are little white cysts that can appear on the lips. You may also see them on the skin around your eyes. “These small epidermoid cysts are typically few in number and usually asymptomatic,” says Dr McTighe.
Oral thrush
Oral thrush is a yeast infection that is most often contained inside the mouth, however, “you can sometimes see it on the lips,” Dr Henry explains. It can affect the tongue as well and in the corners of the mouth, it may “manifest as red or pink areas, often with cracking or scaling,” Dr McTighe adds.
Oral cancer
Oral cancer typically affects the inside of the mouth or throat, but signs of it may appear on the lips and face. “If you have any new white or red patches that start out painless but are persisting and growing, you may want to have a doctor look at that because it could potentially be oral cancer,” says Dr Henry.
Other causes
Less common white bump causes worth noting are:
- Flat warts: “These small, skin-coloured bumps are caused by specific strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV),” says Dr McTighe. “While less common on the lips, they can occasionally appear in this area.”
- Allergic reactions
- Blocked salivary glands
- Comedonal acne
When to see a doctor
If the white bumps on or around your lips are growing, painful and accompanied by other symptoms like a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing, bleeding sores, or sudden changes in oral health, our experts advise seeing a doctor. They can better assist you and come up with a proper diagnosis.
At-home treatments for white bumps on lips
“Avoid picking them and use gentle skincare,” says Dr Henry. “There aren’t many home treatments to get rid of white bumps, but if they ever get inflamed, you can use a warm compress to soothe them.”
Dr McTighe adds that, although no home remedies have been proven particularly effective in removing fordyce spots, regularly moisturising lips with a product like Vaseline may help reduce irritation or slightly improve their appearance.
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