I have an irritated area on outer upper lip-left side. It has been painful since mid November. I thought it may be a pimple on lip border of skin as it hurts when touched, but no pimple there. I get a weird taut tight sensation when I smile in that area and if I tap skin, it tingles the nerve there. The inside of my gum has one small white dot. I went to doctor a week ago and she told me to schedule a dermatlogy appointment as she squeezed lip area there and thought she could feel something, but thought more on outside of lip. If I press the lip lining with my tongue the area is sore. I can not see dermatologist until mid February and now I am freaked about oral cancer or skin cancer. The area seems more irritated since the doctor prodded and squeezed it. I am wondering if I should visit my dentist as I can get in before February, or should I wait and see dermatologist like my internist suggested. I used to be a smoker, but have quit for a couple years and I do get lots of sun. Does this sound like lip cancer and why the nerve feeling and tight feeling in that area when I smile? I also feel like when I stretch the lip I can see a small white scar-very thin on lipvermiliion border

Hello twinmom

I don't think your complaint reads like you are describing a lip cancer but I can't tell you what it is. If you get an ulcer or swelling that keeps on after 3 weeks, get back to your doctor. Otherwise, keep the appointment with the dermatologist. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hope that helps.