What causes little white bumps on the lips?

[Ur_Help_is_Needed]

I have been to my primary care physican and to the emergency room.  My primary care physican says that nothing is wrong and the ER doctor tells me it "may be herpes".  Let me describe my lips, they're a little black from smoking cigarettes and marijuana.  Perhaps from the resin.  Anyway, I would say they are rather dry, and they peel(use "Chapstick" Medicated lip balm).  I have a few pimple-like pustules on my lips; concentrating in the corners of my mouth and around the edges.  There is one bump however that appears to be dormant, it looks like a flesh tone pimple and seemed to appear first.  My mouth itches sometimes and most importantly, it is affecting my daily living in that I am afraid that I will pass something on to my family.  The bumps have been there for over 8 months without change or maybe slightly worse.  I have taken valtrex and I have even recently tried a herbal product by the name of "H-Balm".  I don't know if it is making the problem better or worse.  It is slated to remedy cold sores, canker sores, etc.  I have an appointment to go to the a dermatologist but I just wanted to see if anyone here had any suggestions.  I will start to drink more water, perhaps that will help with the dryness.  If you have any other suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.  I think that if it was a form of herpes, the valtrex and the "h-balm" would have helped and not hurt.  Do you think it could be a reaction to the resin from the marijunana?  I don't have a clue do you?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

This may be case of fungal or bacterial infection. Smoking irritates the sensitive lining of your lips. The minor cracks and injuries that occur may encourage invasion of organisms that may cause an infection. Follicuitis may occur over the outer lining of the lip where hair follicles are present.

You may take vitamin supplements and you may need oral antibiotics for this. With pimple like manifestations of the condition this is likely to be a chronic bacterial infection
.

[Ur_Help_is_Needed]

When I went to the doctor again approx. 2 weeks ago, he tried to squeeze the bump that is flesh colored, but nothing came out.  He didn't attempt to squeeze the smaller white pimples.  He that it just looked like a pimple; and he said come back in 2 months.  

The pimples are round and they never hurt, only itch.  The pimples are constant, don't get larger or smaller and they're not going away.  They have been there for approx. 8 months.

The lips themselves are not swollen or anything like that; just the blackness, dryness, and pimples (if that wasn't enough).

There isn't anything that seems to trigger the pimples because they never go away.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

When you say pimple like pustules, do they contain pus?

Are they itchy or painful?

Are there any known triggers for these pustules or are they present at most times?

In a setting wherein your sexual history is significant ,then herpetic lesions may be considered. Other differentials will be aphthous ulcers, cold sores and cheilitis.Aphthous ulcers and cold sores may appear as small patches of white to yellowish blisters in the inside of the lips and mouth.Aphthous ulcers have an unknown origin and may be triggered by stress or trauma. Cold sores are due to herpes simplex 1 and may be triggered by extreme temperatures and certain stressors.

In your case, you have a significant history of smoking. Stress and mild traumatic injuries on the lips and oral surfaces may increase your risk to these conditions. Cheilitis may be due to nutritional deficiencies or a fungal infection. I suggest you have this assessed by your physician, The skin toned papule you noted on your lips require evaluation. This may not be due to an infectious process