Causes of the White Bumps on Lips
Your lips not only affect your appearance, but they reflect your inner health too. While dry, chapped lips are a very common problem, another major concern related to your lips is the appearance of white bumps on the lips. While some of the people having these bumps feel more self-conscious, the others are worried about their health conditions and wonder what can be the possible reasons behind them. It is important to know the reason behind these white bumps as they can sometimes be a symptom of very harmful health issues.
Here are some of the major causes behind these small bumps on lips:
Fordyce Granules
Fordyce granules are tiny yellowish or white papules that are formed on the borders of the lips, and sometimes in the genital areas too. They are basically sebacious or oil producing glands that do not contain any hair follicles and are not harmful at all. They are usually present at birth but they become more noticeable as a person reaches puberty. Surprisingly, around 85-90 percent of the people have these fordyles granules but luckily, they are not dangerous and do not need any treatment. But if someone having these Fordyce spots is concerned about their overall appearance and wants a treatment, they can always find a good cosmetic surgeon to get them removed. Also, you can use an anti-bacterial soap and maintain a good skincare routine, along with a healthy diet and adequate water intake to reduce the appearance. Other than that, usually gels or creams containing a specific percentage of Tretinoin (according to your condition) is recommended to treat these Fordyce spots at home.
Oral Cancer
The reason why you should never ignore the small white bumps on your lips is that they may reflect serious health conditions including oral cancer too. Bumps on the lips, in the mouth or the throat region can be a sign of oral cancer and anyone having them should seek medical help immediately. However, since every time these bumps do not reflect harmful health conditions, it is very important to know what type of the bumps are a sign of oral cancer. In case of oral cancer, the white bumps either have a raised or a flat appearance. In the beginning, these bumps are not painful at all, but as time passes, they become hard and then, begin to hurt, bleed and ulcerate. Some of the major reasons behind oral cancer include excessive smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and exposure to sunlight. Genetic factor is also a reason behind oral cancer and cannot be ignored. If someone from your family has oral cancer, there are chances that you can also develop it. So in such conditions, if you notice any white bumps on your lips, it is very important to get medical help as soon as possible. But as we know, prevention is better than cure, it is important to stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake in order to prevent this condition.
Also, you should visit your dentist for an oral health checkup on regular basis as if diagnosed at an early stage, this cancer can be treated effectively.
Oral Acne
Acne is a very common skin condition that a lot of people, especially adults experience in different parts of the body, but especially in the face. There are different reasons behind it, including excessive sebum production, consumption of dairy, eating junk food, stress, less water intake and sometimes, there are different health conditions that result in acne. Acne breakouts on your lips are usually caused due to hormonal imbalance. Besides this, they also reflect poor skin care routine. It is important to use the right products on your skin and eat healthy to reduce the chances of these breakouts. Appropriate water consumption is also important to keep these bumps at bay.
Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a condition caused due to yeast and fungal infections that develop in your mouth. Most of the times, it occurs due to the fungus Candida Albicans. This can also be a result of poor oral hygine and white bumps on the lips might be a symptom of oral thrush. There are high chances of formation of these bumps in people who use corticosteroids and antibiotics.
Doctors usually give antifungal medications to the patients suffering from this condition so you should visit your doctor if this condition occurs.
Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus Infection is another health condition that causes little white bumps on the lips. This infection affects your mouth, throat or genital areas and a lot of times, is also linked with serious health issues including cancer of the anus, cervix, vagina or penis.
Most of the times, the Human Papillomavirus Infection is a sexually transmitted concern, that occurs due to sexual contact with a diseased individual. The bumps that develop as a symptom in this case are formed in the inner lip. Usually these bumps are small and do not hurt, but at times, they can be big bumps. Another way to check whether the bumps on the lips are due to Human Papilloma Virus is to see if they are filled with fluid or not because the ones that indicate HPV are always fluid-filled. Also, these bumps always occur in clusters.
If you ever experience painful bumps followed by swelling of the lips, or ulcers on lips that stay there for a period of more than two weeks, you should immediately seek medical help.
Herpes Simplex
Another common reason behind the white bumps on the lips is the Herpes Simplex Virus. In the beginning, these white bumps may be small and painless but as some time passes, they turn into blisters and start causing pain and itching. Since these blisters are a result of a viral infection, you can always take preventive measures to reduce the risks of developing this infection. This virus is mostly transmitted by physical contact (touching skin or kissing) and sharing utensils.
You can tell that the white bumps are due to Herpes Simplex Virus if they are formed on the corner of your lips that tend to come closer in the form of clusters before they outflow. Other than that, you also notice visible swelling of the neck glands, followed by fever.
This condition can be treated using tropical and oral antiviral medicines but these bumps often also disappear on their own, once their cycle is completed, mostly within two weeks. However, this virus occurs again and again in people with a weak immune system so it is important to keep yourself healthy by eating food that boosts your immunity.
Milia
Most of the times, adults experience white bumps on their lips. But sometimes, even children and people in their teens experience the formation of small white bumps. They are not a permanent condition, but often appear and then disappear. Usually, they are formed at the border of your upper lips, and sometimes they can also be formed in the inner part of your cheeks. These bumps are called milia.
We know that it is necessary to take a good care of your skin and use high quality products for it, that do not contain any harmful ingredients and Milia is a condition that results due to usage of poor products that contain ingredients that are not good for your skin. They can be lip balms, lipsticks or even toothpaste (as they often come in contact with your lips). Other reason behind these is the sun exposure. That is why, it is important to use a good sunscreen or a lip balm containing sun protection factor, that can help you reduce the chances of developing these bumps.
Other than that, you should also visit your dermatologist for medical help. Mostly, the doctors recommend keeping your lips hydrated and moisturized, exfoliating them and using retinol to treat Milia.
Other causes
As we have discussed all the major diseases or conditions that can result in the formation of white bumps on your lips, we need to talk about the other causes too. You need to know that white bumps on your lips can also be caused by the following issues:
- Dryness
So it is important to keep yourself hydrated and use a lip balm to prevent it. - Sunburn
Sunburned lips can also be a reason behind the formation of white bumps on lips. - Allergic Reactions
White bumps on the lips can also be caused due to some allergic reactions. You need to check if you are allergic to some specific food or ingredients that you use in your skincare routine. - Lip fillers
Although the trend of getting your lip job done is increasing day by day, it is important to be aware of the consequences. People who get lip filling done also experience white bumps on their lips.
Most of the times, any changes in your skin, nails or hair reflect your overall health status. So it is important to visit your doctor for regular checkups to make sure that you are perfectly healthy.
