How to Know If The Bump on The Roof of Your Mouth is Due to Herpes
Published Nov 16, 2020
Bumps and lumps in the mouth can worry us far more than if they were found on other parts of the body. But the truth is that they’re not uncommon at all. At some point in your life, you must have experienced a bump on your tongue, cheek, lips, or gums. We’re here to talk about these bumps, mainly when they appear on the roof of your mouth. Also, we’ll delve deeper by looking at how you can tell if this is oral herpes.
Bumps on the roof of your mouth
Bumps on the roof of your mouth can be painful and irritating, especially if they take much longer to go away. In many cases, these bumps resolve themselves after some time and without the need for medical intervention. While many of the underlying causes are harmless, it’s essential to know the various possible causes leading to these bumps.
Common Causes of Mouth Bumps
- Torus palatinus – bony growth in the middle of the hard palate
- Canker sores – painful mouth sores
- Cold sores – a symptom of oral herpes
- Nasopalatine duct cyst – cyst of the palatine papilla; typically painless
- Epstein pearls – whitish-yellow cyst typical common in newborns
- Burns – stem from hot beverages or foods burning the roof of the mouth
- Trauma or injury – injury of the mouth tissues can lead to bumps
- Mucoceles – oral mucous cysts that form due to an inflamed salivary gland
- Candidiasis – a form of yeast infection that can cause red or white bumps in the mouth
- Squamous papilloma – oral squamous papillomas are noncancerous masses caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Hyperdontia – the development of too many teeth; this condition can cause teeth to grow further back in the roof of the mouth rather than right behind the front row of teeth.
Oral cancer – any cancer that forms in the mouth or lips
Oral herpes
Oral herpes is the infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV is generally classified into two types: herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2).
Both classifications are incredibly widespread, as 67% of people under 50 have HSV-1, while 13% of people aged 15-49 have HSV-2. Of the two types of HSV, HSV-1 is responsible for most cases of oral herpes. This virus is highly contagious and spreads through skin-to-skin contact like kissing.
The virus causes painful sores to appear on the lips, tongue, and the mucous membrane lining the mouth (oral mucosa). These sores are called “cold sores,” and last about 2-3 weeks before subsiding. Cold sores first appear as fluid-filled blisters that burst after two days or so.
How do I know if the bumps in my mouth are caused by herpes?
Most herpes lesions or cold sores show up outside of the mouth, typically around the lips. However, it isn’t unheard of for these sores to make their way in the mouth. Here are some typical symptoms you should watch out for with cold sores:
- Tingling or burning sensation before sores first appear
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
However, for a definitive diagnosis, you will need the following tests:
- Viral culture
- Biopsy
- A staining test called Tzanck smear
- Antigen and antibody analysis
- Blood sampling
Treatment
Once infected with the herpes simplex virus, the infection is lifelong. No medications can cure the virus, but it definitely is manageable. Many people live long, fulfilling lives despite having the virus.
To treat fever and muscle aches, we recommend the following medications:
Antiviral drugs (acyclovir, famciclovir, valacyclovir) are useful in promoting healing, preventing outbreaks, and alleviating some symptoms. These are prescription drugs, so you will need to see a doctor to get them.
General Guidelines during a herpes outbreak
To prevent the spread of the herpes simplex virus and promote overall health, we recommend you follow these guidelines:
- Don’t kiss anyone when having an active outbreak
- Avoid close contact with others
- Don’t share personal items, such as razors, toothbrushes, lip balm, or face towels.
- Don’t share foods and beverages.
- Avoid touching your cold sores.
- Stay away from people with compromised immune systems.
- Frequently wash your hands.
Conclusion
Herpes is a lifelong virus that can have recurring outbreaks. Taking good care of your body by adopting a nutrient-rich diet and healthy habits can drastically reduce the number of outbreaks you experience. Generally, you won’t need to be too worried if cold sores appear in and around your mouth, but if symptoms do not get better after a few weeks, please consult your doctor.
Suffering From Herpes Type 2 Outbreaks?
Herpezine is a specially formulated all-natural mixture of ingredients proven to help relieve and prevent HSV2 outbreaks when used as directed. This safe, over-the-counter Herpes treatment contains both traditional homeopathic and scientifically proven anti-viral ingredients such as L-Lysine HCI and Bee Propolis. Learn more about Herpezine on our website and visit our pricing page to purchase your first bottle.
About The Author
Terrence Tan Ting is an industrial engineer by profession but a full time writer by passion. He loves to write about a wide range of topics from many different industries thanks to his undying curiosity.
