Lip Pimple Causes and Treatments
Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MDMedically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MDLip pimples usually appear around the outer edges and not directly on the lips or inside the mouth. These areas do not contain hair follicles or oil glands for dirt, oil, and other debris to build up and cause a pimple.Lesions or lumps that appear on your lips or inside your mouth and don't go away are intensely painful or spread to other areas, might not be pimples at all, and often require other kinds of treatment.
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Signs It Is a Lip Pimple, Not a Cold SoreA lip pimple is most likely to appear around the edges of the lip, where the skin is thicker and contains hair follicles, and oil glands. Like other areas on the body, pimples on the lip can appear as a fluid-filled bump with a visible head or as a raised, inflamed area. They generally don't appear on the thinner skin of the lips.Lip pimples are often mistaken for cold sores, which also appear as fluid-filled bumps. However, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are many varieties of herpes viruses, and once infected, the virus can go dormant and reactivate from time to time. Unlike pimples, cold sores can appear anywhere on the lips or around the mouth.Cold sores often occur with other symptoms, which can help you distinguish them from a lip pimple. Cold sore symptoms include:Crusting over in later stagesIntense pain or burningItchingSpreading to other areasStingingThrobbingIn some cases, the HSV can cause symptoms in other areas at the same time as sores on your lips appear. This can include blisters on other areas of the body or symptoms like:FatigueFeverSore throatSwelling of the lymph nodes
Other Causes of Lip BumpsVarious irritants, bacteria, or viruses can cause bumps on your lips requiring treatment, including:Furuncles or carbuncles: Inflamed boils, or clusters of boils, caused by a bacterial infectionCanker sores: Ulcers that form inside the mouthCheilitis: Short- or long-term lip inflammation that can lead to dryness or scalingFordyce spots: Flat, raised bumps that appear on mucous membranes (e.g., inside the mouth, edges of the lips)Hand, foot, and mouth disease: An illness common in children under five that causes mouth soresStaph infections: A bacterial infection that can lead to bumps on the lipsThrush: A fungal infection that can cause white sores in the mouth
Healing Lip Pimples Through Skin Care The thinness of the skin on your lips and the fact that lip skin holds less moisture than the skin on your face and other areas can make treating a lip pimple more challenging. Treatments or medications designed for acne in other areas could cause dryness and irritation to mucosal tissue.Generally, you can treat pimples around your mouth the same as you would pimples on other body parts—with spot treatment, proper hygiene, and skin care.Some common acne treatments can help but may irritate your lips if not applied conservatively. Examples include things like:Benzoyl peroxideRetinoidsSalicylic acidLip Pimple Formation: What Triggers Breakout Many of the things that trigger breakouts in other areas can trigger lip pimples, such as:CosmeticsDietHormonal changesSports or medical devices that come into contact with your skinStress
Additional TriggersAnything touching your mouth—or any area of your skin—should be cleaned regularly. This includes phones, face masks, and even musical instruments.Friction, heat, collected oils and dirt, and vibrations all increase the chances of your musical instrument causing outbreaks and other skin issues. Instruments played with the mouth—like the flute or trumpet—are some of the biggest offenders.
How to Stay Ahead of Another BreakoutIf you are dealing with a significant breakout or are prone to developing pimples, take care of your skin between breakouts. Use mild cleansers and creams or cosmetics that won't clog your pores. Look for items that are oil free, fragrance-free, and noncomodogenic (not likely to clog pores).Wash any makeup off before you go to bed and regularly clean items that touch your face and lips, such as your cell phone, medical devices, and mouth guards or other sports equipment.Lip Pimple Not Healing If you have treated a pimple around the edges of your lips and it still isn't going away, see a healthcare provider such as a dermatologist (a medical specialist in conditions of the skin, hair, and nails). Acne that is resistant to treatment or that recurs can require more intensive methods or prescription medications. It's important not to assume you know what the bump is since lip pimples can look like many other skin conditions.If your lip pimple is really a cold sore, you will need antiviral ointments. You must also be careful not to pop the lump or touch other areas of your body after touching it. Cold sores are highly contagious and can easily spread to other areas of the body. With treatment, a cold sore usually heals within two weeks.Summary Lip pimples typically form on the edges rather than directly on your lips. Your lips' skin is more delicate than the skin on your face and does not contain hair follicles or oil glands that can become clogged with dirt, oil, or other debris to form a pimple.Often, lip pimples are confused for cold sores or other lesions requiring treatment. If you have a lip pimple that won't go away, follow up with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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