How To Know If A Lip Pimple Is Just A Pimple — So You Can Zap It, Fast

Besides all the holiday cheer and awesome sales, wintertime does have its downsides — and we’re not just talking about commuting in snowfall. There’s the constant cloud of sickness that looms between October and February that no amount of Emergen-C can ward off. Then, there’s the super dry skin from blasting the heat all day and night. But our biggest cold-weather annoyance: lip pimples. Yes, those painful bumps that pop up at the most inopportune moments (like before a big date) and send us into a WebMD spiral: Is that a pimple? A cold sore? Is it contagious? But before you panic, let’s discuss.

With so much information on the Internet, it’s hard to know what that spot on your lip line actually is — or what to do next. We spoke with dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, to break it down once and for all — so you can stop googling and shrink it, fast.

What’s the deal with lip pimples?
“The border of the lip contains high numbers of oil glands, which is why some people have prominent white bumps around the mouth and on the lips themselves. When these glands are blocked, oil may get trapped beneath, forming a pimple. Usually, they look like a white spot. In some cases, the pimple may become inflamed, tender, and red.”

How can you tell the difference between a lip pimple and a cold sore?
“Cold sores are actually skin infections caused by a herpes virus. Before an outbreak, people typically develop burning or stinging in the skin followed by a red rash that forms a cluster of blisters. As these blisters rupture on their own, the area forms a scab. It typically takes about one week for cold sores to go away. Once you are infected by the virus, your body can heal, but the virus is stored within your nerves.”

Do lip products cause lip pimples?