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Is A Single Red Blister On The Upper Lip A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Tue, 3 May 2016

Question: four weeks ago a single blister showed up on the edge of my upper lip. Went to the walk in doctor. She said its most likely hsv 1. the blister on my upper lip is just a red mark for about a week now.

But now I'm paranoid. I see a red mark on my face I thought maybe it spread I used q-tip to rub it, it doesn't hurt. Another red spot I see on my buttock. Same, it doesn't hurt when I rub it. If its hsv caused red irritated skin it would hurt at least a bit when I rub it with q-tip right?

I have not been washing my face like I normally do. I'm using only cotton pads to wipe my face for almost 4 weeks now, and have been washing myself properly because I'm so afraid of passing to another area. Maybe those red marks are due to not cleasing properly?

I will be getting a test soon, but for now I need a piece of mind.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please upload an image using the facility on upper right of the page.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through the details provided. I would however require you to upload an image of the red blister as it wil enable me to comment definitively. Although it is not painful, it is stil likely to eb HSV-1 but does not necessarily need any testing or apprehension. I do not think it to be related to the blister on your buttock.

I will await your response. After checking the image I would comment if it seems to be due to inadequate cleaning.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (13 hours later)

Hi thank you for answering. Here the pictures, unfortunately it is quite hard to see the red mark edge of my upper lips (its been like that about a week now just a red mark) and as for the red area on my face that's just diagonally above my lip ( I just notice that last night. It did not hurt when i rubbed it with q-tip). Also is the red mark on my lip is still contagious?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for not being able to respond faster.
I have checked the attached images. It seems to be a simple pimple or boil. Not a cause for concern and does not seem to be contagious. You need not bother about it.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (31 hours later)

Thank you very much Doctor Saha

Sorry I wanted to clarify the one you said that is a boil or simple pimple is the one on my face right? because the one thats on my lip is red mark left from the cold sore as my walk in doctor had told me it most likely hsv 1 (i went to see her when the single blister was there, and it had left a red mark) .

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I was talking about the red mark left after the blister.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks again for writing back. When I said boil or pimple, I was referring to the red mark on the lip. Indeed there is a possibility of it being due to a cold sore due to HSV-1 but going by the looks it seemed unlikely. Anyway, it is not something that you need to be concerned about.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (10 hours later)

Thank you.

But my concern was that it came back the second time after few months. Could boil come back in the same spot? Isn't it only HSV 1 blister come back in the same spot?

Though I have had single blister on my foot before too.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Unless you have a poor immunity, you need not worry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
Herpes is a virus that remains dormant in the area supplied by the same nerve, for a lifetime. But it only resurfaces if the immunity drops. You need not worry. Just follow a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise and things would be fine even if the red marks were due to herpes. It is unlikely to surface every few months.

The blister in your foot will not be related to this.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Thank you doctor.

But my question was that could boil come back in same place?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Depends on what it is due to.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back once again.

If it is a pimple, it is unlikely to come back at the same place. However, coming back at the same place is an option.

If it is due to HSV, if it ever comes back, it is likely to come back at the same place.

I have no way to confirm what it actually is, without a clinical examination.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Ok thank you Saha Dr. Saga.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to be of service.

Detailed Answer:
In case you found my answer to be helpful, I would request you to close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Wish you good health.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar