I'va had a little white bump o my upper lips for a few months now...?

So around 2 months ago I dicovered this very little white bump on the left of my upper lip. It does hurt sometimes and tends to "pop out more" when I touch it alot and I don't know what it is. I don't think It's a pimple because its been there for 2 months now and it doesnt look like I could pop it and its definetly not a cole soar ( i dont think). It really bothers me and people are starting to notice it. What can I do? Any ideas what it is?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be folliculitis. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.