Tiny bumps on the lips can indicate any number of conditions ranging from acne to cancer. When bumps don't disappear within a few weeks with your normal home remedies and over-the-counter medications, you should see a dermatologist to determine if the bumps are indicative of a more serious complication.
Warning
Actinic keratosis is a common form of skin cancer that results from repeated exposure to ultraviolet sun rays. According to Dermatology Associates, the tiny red bumps become crusty and scaly. The bumps can appear as red, pink or dark spots or they can take on the same color as your lips. Actinic keratosis bumps are precancerous skin disorders that can turn into malignant cancer cells that form deadly squamous cell carcinomas and should be removed.
Misconceptions
Wearing sunscreen is not the only precaution you need to take to avoid cancer bumps from forming on your lips. According to the American Dental Association, oral cancer usually begins as a small, nearly unnoticeable bump anywhere on or in your mouth, including your lips. Smoking and alcohol abuse can put you at a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Regular dental checkups can help detect the presence of the abnormal growths. Oral cancer affects more than 34,000 Americans every year and can be treated if caught early.
Features
Small bumps filled with fluid on the inside of your lips may indicate a case of mucocele, which is a condition that occurs from sucking on your mouth between your teeth. The cysts usually go away on their own when you stop the nervous habit. According to FamilyDoctor.org, an informational website provided by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the tiny bumps could become infected if left untreated.
Considerations
Yellow or white bumps that are ringed in red may indicate a canker sore on your lips, tongue or inner cheek. Canker sores are caused by a viral infection and usually are apparent on the inside of your lips. The sores usually go away on their own in about two weeks and may be treated with a topical antiseptic to relieve the discomfort. Chewing gum, crunchy and spicy foods often trigger canker sores that can be avoided with daily flossing and avoiding the substances that lead to the sores.
Types
A common type of bump that appears on the lips is called a fever blister or cold sore. According to MayoClinic.com, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus and are transferred from other people through kissing or by sharing towels or eating utensils. The virus continues to lie dormant in your system and will reoccur when triggered. Common triggers include stress, menstruation, fatigue or sun exposure. Cold sores disappear without treatment, typically within 14 days.
