The most used organ after our hands & eyes is our lips. Our lips do a variety of jobs throughout the day. Hence, they are also exposed to many infections, diseases, & problems.
White bumps & spots may appear on the lips sometimes, there are many underlying causes for this kind of problem. In this article, we are going to talk about the causes, cures, & exactly know that what these white spots on lips are.
What Are White Spots on Lips
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Firstly, you will automatically know that something is wrong with your lips as we can feel it easily. The white bumps can be caused by a variety of reasons. It may not be a problem at all, or on the extreme side, it may be a symptom of oral cancer.
Causes of White Spots on Lips
There are various causes of white spots on the lips. Below we will describe each of them in detail:
Herpes Simplex:
Also referred to as herpes simplex virus (HSV) & cold sores. They are a common type of viral infection that causes cold sores on the lip & around the mouth. They give a feel like blisters which are fluid-filled & can be painful, as well as itchy.
These cold sores are contagious & usually clear on their own in a week or so.
Fordyce Spots:
These are a collection of tiny white or slight yellowish spots, inside or near the lips. They do not cause any pain & are not contagious. They might cause your skin to itch.
These spots are enlarged sebaceous glands containing oils. As a person get old, these spots increase in number. People may have 1 or 2 spots, or even 100s’ of them in a very tiny size. These bumps tend to go away within some time but can also be treated as prescribed by the doctor.
Milia:
Milia are white spots usually seen in newborns, & toddlers. These are white cysts formed when the dead skin cells get trapped under the skin. They are mostly formed on cheeks, nose, & sometimes on the lips.
Milia are harmless spots that don’t require any medical treatment & are cured within time. These spots don’t cause any pain, so there is nothing to worry about here.
Canker Sores:
Canker sores are tiny blisters that can be formed inside the base of gums, on the tongue, on the cheeks or the lips. These sores usually occur at the age of adolescence & reoccur throughout a person’s lifetime.
These spots are not contagious but are usually painful. They usually go away within a week or so.
Oral Thrush:
Oral thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a type of fungal infection that causes white patches on the lips, bumps on gums, mouth, or tonsils. This infection is caused by Candida, which is a type of yeast.
These white spots on lips cause redness, loss of taste, & a weird sensation in the mouth. Antifungal medication is used mostly to cure oral thrush. These are found in people with genetic diseases, or weaker immune systems.
Oral Cancer:
The white spots caused by oral cancers do not cause any pain at first, but they start to ulcerate & bleed over time. These are caused by excessive smoking, use of tobacco, heavy alcohol use, etc. Males usually have more oral cancer complaints & these can also be caused due to exposure in sunlight for a long time.
These are tiny sores at the first but grow bigger & start to spread over time. They also turn red & a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Treatment of White Spots on Lips
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Treatment of these white spots & bumps usually depends on the cause of them. Some common white spot conditions such as Fordyce spots can be cured by using home remedies.
It is best to keep your mouth always free from bacteria & germs. Rinse your mouth with warm water & salt to keep it sanitized & prevent the spread of any kind of infection.
Fordyce spots can also be removed by electrosurgery or laser treatments as prescribed by the doctor. Oral thrush is treated with antifungal medicines which usually include a liquid solution that needs to be rinsed in your mouth.
Overall, tropical treatments & medications can give temporary relief or completely cure many of the causes such as herpes simplex, Fordyce spots, oral thrush, or canker sores.
Oral cancers require special attention & treatment to them includes surgical removal, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Consult a doctor right away in case of prolonged spots, excessive pain & fluid flow.
Conclusion
There are many causes of white spots on lips & maybe not all are of concern. Still, it is better to do a regular checkup to stay on the safe side.
