Suggest Treatment For Cold Sore On Upper Lip

Posted on Thu, 6 Aug 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 6 Aug 2015 Answered on

Wed, 2 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I recently had a possible cold sore which i thought was an in grow hair or pimple. I tried to pop it and my lip swole up and became irritated. I fear it may have been a cold sore and that I infected my wife and kid. My wife has developed a cluster rash around where her neck and collar bone meet. My 3 year olddaughter has more pimples than usual on her chin and her nose. I have attached a photo of all of our skin conditions. My wifes rash has developed over the last week, my daughters has not changed much over the last week.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your image seems like cold sore; wife's skin condition seems an eczema

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query and I have also reviewed the Images.
Your image shows a bumpy and crusted patch on upper lip that seems to be healing now. It seems very much like a cold sore Or else it could be a bacterial infection secondary to ingrown hair. I suggest that you take a blood test for herpes type 1 for a confirmatory diagnosis.

Your wife seems to have an eczematous condition on her neck. It must be itchy? It does nt seem to be related to your cold sore.

This pic of your child seems ok. I cannot clearly see any of skin lesions, if at all.
Kindly upload another image of her skin lesions.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 days later)

Hi. So an update my wife has developed sores in her mouth towards the back of the throat and on her tongue. With the rash on her neck and this i am very concerned but do not want to send her into a panic for no reason.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sems like a canker sore rather than herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have reviewed the Images. These seem like canker sores rather than herpes. Canker sores usually develop on soft mucosa i.e soft palate, back of the mouth near tonsils. Whereas herpetic lesions are common on hard mucosa i.e that mucosa that is firmly adherent to bones e.g hard palate, gingiva etc. Therefore going by the location of this sore in the Image, it seems most likely an oral aphthous ulcer/ canker sore rather than due to herpes. The rash on her neck is definitely not herpes.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 days later)

Here are the outbreaks in my 3 year old daughter.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These are not lesions of herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you I have reviewed the Images.

I can see 2-3 red, bumps on thigh (On her outer thigh and and inner thigh) and an eroded lesion beside her left nostril.

This is not herpes.
The lesion on her thigh seems like an insect bite. Does it itch? Do you see her scratch? You may use a soothing lotion e.g calamine lotion Or a mild topical steroid i.e cortisone cream

I would suggest you to use a topical antibacterial e.g Mupirocin ointment for the eroded lesion beside her left nostril.

I once again assure you that this is not herpes.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad