Question:

I felt a bump on my inside lower lip a week ago. I used a needle to pierce it & it just bled.Now there is a painless white pimple the size of an eraser head. SO scared. Please tell me what you think this is. Thank you

Answer:

What you describe most likely represents a common, benign problem called mucocele (or mucus extravasation phenomenon). The bump represents mucus (saliva, spit) that has spilled under the surface of the skin of the lip. The saliva is produced by small salivary glands found here and usually comes up and into the mouth through a little hose-like channel called a duct. When this duct gets damaged, the saliva leaks out and a bump gradually forms. When you used the needle, you released some of the spill, but the damaged duct is still damaged and the bump may get bigger. 

To be sure about this, I recommend you see your dentist or a dental specialist called an oral surgeon (oral and maxillofacial surgeon). In most cases, a minor surgery will be needed to remove the spill. But this usually leads to complete resolution of the problem. Good luck! 

For more information:

Go to the Dental and Oral Health Center health topic.