Bumps in the Lower Lip: A Distressing Experience
Hello, I’m a 34-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Trigeminal Neuralgia. I’m currently in remission from Type 2 diabetes, having achieved a significant weight loss of 90 pounds. Recently, I’ve encountered a troubling issue: a group of white, fluid-filled lesions has appeared inside my lower lip for the second time. These bumps are causing me discomfort, and despite my research, I can confirm that they do not resemble canker sores. Unlike canker sores, which are generally flat, these lesions are raised, and I also have a slight soreness in my throat. After searching for information, I’ve found mentions of cold sores or mucoceles, but none of these conditions seem to apply to my symptoms. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions as I try to determine the cause of this issue. As part of my routine, I take multivitamins, B12, biotin, Lyrica at a dosage of 50 mg, and Topiramate at 25 mg. Following my doctor’s guidance, I have been avoiding gluten, dairy, and nuts. Interestingly, the only unusual food I consumed yesterday was gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. I initially pondered whether it was an allergic response to almonds, but I have no issues with almond milk. I feel quite puzzled by this situation and am seeking any advice that might offer clarity.
Answers (1)
8/14/2025, 11:51:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds quite distressing to have recurring bumps on your lower lip, especially considering your existing health conditions. The raised, fluid-filled lesions you're describing could potentially be mucoceles or a type of allergic reaction, but let’s break this down further for clarity.
Overview:
- Lesions Description: The white, fluid-filled lesions you're experiencing seem to differ from canker sores and may indicate mucoceles or possibly an allergic reaction, given your dietary changes and sensitivities.
- Existing Conditions: Your history with PCOS, trigeminal neuralgia, and management of type 2 diabetes increase the complexity of symptoms, particularly if they affect your oral health.
Possible Causes:
- Mucoceles: These are usually cyst-like bumps caused by a blocked salivary gland, often clear or white and may feel fluid-filled.
- Allergic Reactions: New foods, even gluten-free options, could potentially trigger localized reactions, especially if you’re sensitive to certain ingredients.
- Oral Infections: Viral infections (like herpes simplex) can also cause similar symptoms, but you mentioned they don't present as cold sores.
- Other Dermal Conditions: Conditions like fibromas or even irritation from trauma (biting your lip) can also present similarly.
Next Steps:
- Monitor: Keep an eye on the lesions over the next few days. Note if they change in size, color, or pain level, and observe if they follow any pattern with your diet or activities.
- Maintain Oral Hygiene: Continue to practice good oral hygiene to reduce any risk of infection. Rinse your mouth with saline or sea salt water to soothe discomfort.
- Avoid Potential Irritants: Steer clear of foods or substances that might irritate your mouth. Since you suspect almonds, consider refraining from almond products temporarily to see if symptoms improve.
- Hydrate: Ensure adequate hydration, as keeping your mucous membranes moist can help with comfort.
- Document Dietary Changes: Keep track of new foods and any reactions you experience to identify potential triggers.
When to Seek Help:
If the bumps persist beyond a week, worsen, or are accompanied by severe discomfort or additional symptoms like significant throat soreness or fever, consider reaching out for a medical evaluation. A healthcare professional may perform an oral examination and, if necessary, conduct allergy testing or biopsies for further clarification.
It's understandable to feel puzzled and concerned with these symptoms. If you have any further questions or need more assistance on certain steps, feel free to reach out. You’re taking proactive steps, which is the best approach for your health!
Related Questions
Questions Regarding MRI Results and Breast Cancer Concerns
At 34 years old and with a significant familial background of breast cancer, I have been enrolled in a high-risk screening initiative for the past two years. Four months after giving birth, I underwent an MRI, which showed no abnormalities, although my breast density has increased due to breastfeeding. Recently, I attended a six-month follow-up appointment with my breast specialist. During the examination, she detected a hard area in my left breast that raised her concerns, even though I couldn’t feel anything unusual myself. An in-office ultrasound was performed, revealing nothing significant, yet she recommended further tests including a diagnostic mammogram and another ultrasound. This has left me puzzled—shouldn't the MRI have identified any irregularities? Furthermore, the left side is my less productive breast, and I haven't breastfed from that side in several weeks. Could that have an impact on what she found? As for the MRI findings, the report indicated that my breast composition is heterogeneously dense, with moderate and symmetrical background enhancement. Specifically related to my left breast, there were no signs of suspicious morphology or kinetic activity detected. The skin, nipple, and chest wall showed no abnormal enhancements, and the left axillary lymph nodes appeared normal with their thin concentric cortices and intact fatty hila. The report concluded with BIRADS2, indicating that there are no concerning features.
Persistent Mania and Psychosis in My Mother Following Surgery
I'm reaching out to see if anyone can provide guidance or comfort regarding my mother's situation. She is 49 years old and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder type II. Recently, she underwent spinal surgery for the removal of pins and rods, but a week later, a second procedure was necessary to reopen her scar tissue to investigate for potential infection. Since the initial operation, my mother has experienced alarming confusion and has gone through episodes of mania and psychosis. During the times when she isn’t showing these extreme symptoms, she has completely lost her appetite and is unable to hydrate herself. Activities she once enjoyed, such as watching television or listening to music, are now nonexistent; instead, she often just sits, staring vacantly or pacing the house aimlessly. Her mind seems fixated on past traumatic experiences, affecting her speech, which has become very unusual. She tends to repeat phrases and speaks slowly, often using isolated words. The essence of her former self appears to have vanished entirely. It has been a month since her surgery, characterized by frequent trips to hospitals and mental health facilities; however, there has been no noticeable improvement. Her mood oscillates, stabilizing for a couple of days before plunging back into mania, only to stabilize again briefly. Medical professionals have suggested that her symptoms could be stemming from a negative reaction to the combination of steroids and anesthesia used during her surgeries. Is it possible for such reactions to persist for several months? It’s now been five weeks, and I’m feeling helpless as I try to support her. I’m unable to focus on work, constantly anxious about her wandering off and posing a danger to herself. Are these symptoms typical post-operative effects, or might they indicate a deeper issue?
Discomfort in Temple and Chest
Greetings! I’m scheduled for a check-up with my primary care physician on Tuesday, where I plan to address a concern that has been recurring intermittently over the last couple of weeks, causing me some unease. A bit of background: I’m a 35-year-old female weighing 165 pounds, though my usual weight is around 150—I'm still trying to shed some baby weight as I’m 9 months postpartum. My current medications include levothyroxine, lisinopril, an iron supplement, and a multivitamin. After experiencing preeclampsia shortly after my delivery, I now deal with chronic hypertension, which is generally managed. I realize I should increase both my water intake and food consumption. I consume coffee roughly three times a week and drink alcohol socially about once a month, while I do not smoke. My job is in an office environment where I spend most of my day in front of a computer. Additionally, my 9-month-old weighs 20 pounds and enjoys being carried and rocked, which I’ve been doing a lot lately! Unfortunately, his sleep habits aren't great, and I've only been averaging about six hours of sleep each night for the past few months. Breastfeeding is no longer part of my routine. Lately, I’ve experienced a brief, sharp pain that strikes simultaneously in my left temple and the upper part of my chest on the right side. Each episode lasts only a second or two and then subsides. Initially, it occurred infrequently—perhaps only once or twice—but it became more pronounced last night before I went to bed. This morning, after being awake for a while, the discomfort returned but seems to have subsided now that I’ve started work again. I can't identify any other symptoms at this time. Any feedback you might have would be greatly appreciated!
Concerns Regarding Lung Nodules and Possible Tuberculosis
Greetings! I am a 47-year-old female who does not take any medications and does not smoke. For the past year, I have experienced intermittent coughing, which I initially attributed to lingering effects from COVID-19. Occasionally, I could hear phlegm in my lungs, but I didn't encounter any other symptoms at that time. Recently, I noticed mild fever, with evening temperatures fluctuating between 37.0 and 37.5 degrees Celsius. This prompted me to undergo a chest x-ray. Overall, I feel well and haven't experienced any breathlessness. The x-ray revealed multiple shadows measuring up to 15mm, leading to the necessity of a CT scan, the results of which I will summarize (translated from another language): - The rib cage appears normal in shape. - No visible abnormalities are found in the soft tissues of the rib cage. - The tracheobronchial tree is normally developed, with the trachea and bronchi showing no obstructive formations. The walls of the bronchial tubes are unevenly thickened on the left side. - Lung roots and mediastinal structures are clearly defined. **Lung findings:** - On the right lung, no infiltrative changes or masses are evident. - In the left lung, particularly in segments S1+2, S4, S5 of the upper lobe and S6, S9, S10 of the lower lobe, there are numerous scattered polymorphic foci, varying from minimally detectable sizes to 13mm. Notably, segments S5 and S10 show areas of consolidation in the lung tissue, the largest measuring approximately 33 x 16mm in segment S10. - No fluid accumulation is detected in the pleural spaces. - The mediastinum remains in its normal position and is not dilated, showing no additional formations. - Intrathoracic lymph nodes appear normal in size and density. - The heart is situated normally, with no enlargement. - There is no fluid observable in the pericardial cavity. - The aorta maintains a normal diameter. - The pulmonary artery trunk is also of standard size. - No bony lesions were found in the ribs, sternum, or thoracic vertebrae. The Diaskin test returned positive results. The following are the results of my complete blood count (CBC): - Red Blood Cells: 4.65 (normal range 3.92-5.08) - Hemoglobin: 125 (normal range 119-146) - Hematocrit: 38.6% (normal range 36.6-44.0) - Mean Corpuscular Volume: 83.0 fL (normal range 82.9-98.0) - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration: 32.4 g/dL (normal range 31.8-34.7) - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin: 26.8 pg (normal range 27.0-32.3) - Red Cell Distribution Width (SD): 45.9 fL (normal range 38.2-49.2) - Red Cell Distribution Width (CV): 14.4% (normal range 12.1-14.3) - Platelets: 299 (normal range 173-390) - Mean Platelet Volume: 9.9 fL (normal range 9.1-11.9) - Plateletcrit: 0.30% (normal range 0.18-0.39) - Platelet Distribution Width: 11.7% (normal range 9.9-15.4) - White Blood Cells: 6.87 (normal range 4.37-9.68) - Neutrophils: 5.21 (normal range 2.00-7.15) - Neutrophils %: 75.8% (normal range 42.5-73.2) - Eosinophils: 0.23 (normal range 0.03-0.27) - Eosinophils %: 3.3% (normal range 0.0-3.0) - Basophils: 0.03 (normal range 0.01-0.05) - Basophils %: 0.5% (normal range 0.0-0.7) - Monocytes: 0.45 (normal range 0.29-0.71) - Monocytes %: 6.5% (normal range 4.3-11.0) - Lymphocytes: 0.95 (normal range 1.16-3.18) - Lymphocytes %: 13.9% (normal range 18.2-47.4) I find it hard to believe that I might have tuberculosis, as I have not been in close contact with anyone who is ill. Since 2021, I have primarily been working from home, venturing out only for groceries. I live alone and see my family members infrequently, perhaps twice a month. I wonder if my previous job in customer service before 2021 could have exposed me to an infection that long ago? (Apologies for my English)
Concerns About Nighttime Bowel Movements
I am a 33-year-old man experiencing seasonal allergies and anxiety regarding my health. I do not smoke or consume alcohol. Although I have not been formally diagnosed, I suspect I may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea tendencies. I have a moderate sensitivity to dairy products, greasy meals, and an overindulgence in bread. Additionally, my sleep schedule has been shifted, often staying up until about 12:00 to 1:30 AM, and typically, I find myself needing to use the bathroom around 11 PM. Over the years, I have consistently had between one to three bowel movements daily, with some tending towards the looser side. My routine involves having a movement in the morning and also late at night; however, if I skip the late trip, I often wake up feeling the urgency to go. Recently, over the last seven weeks, I've encountered four instances where I needed to have a bowel movement during the night. Two of these incidents occurred within a single week after consuming similar meals. One of the other occurrences happened following a variety of foods that I suspect might have triggered my symptoms. I woke with some cramping and felt compelled to go. Throughout this past week, I experienced two additional nighttime visits to the bathroom, typically after drinking a considerable amount of water before bed; I found no pain associated with these urges. Interestingly, three of the four instances took place after dinners that featured a sizable steak. I’m unsure if this is relevant to my condition. I am curious about the implications of these occurrences, especially regarding the possibility of bowel cancer. During my last physical in March, my doctor assured me that there is no significant cause for concern, mentioning that loose stools are not commonly indicative of bowel cancer. However, I still wish to understand whether my nighttime bowel movements should be taken seriously.