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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can A Painful Cold Sore On The Upper Lip Be Treated?

I have a cold sore at the center of my upper lip that is so painful that I cannot drink any liquids. It is not a traditional cold sore as it does not border on the skin above my lip, but rather is totally on the lip. I have been using Aquaphor to keep it moist (its worst pain is when it dries). Though it's starting to scab, the pain is still at maximum.
posted on Fri, 23 Mar 2018
Twitter Wed, 18 Apr 2018 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 25 Apr 2018 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

First of all, you should get it diagnosed. It must be ascertained if it is a cold sore or due to bacterial infection.

So first of all, consult an Emergency room or a Physician and get evaluated.

You can be advised a blood test and culture from the scrapings of the lesion so that the exact nature of the infection is confirmed.

If it is bacterial infection then antibiotics can be advised. If it is due to viral infection then antiviral medicine like Acyclovir can be advised.

For pain, take painkiller like ibuprofen and apply Lidocaine gel over it.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Honey Arora
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How Can A Painful Cold Sore On The Upper Lip Be Treated?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. First of all, you should get it diagnosed. It must be ascertained if it is a cold sore or due to bacterial infection. So first of all, consult an Emergency room or a Physician and get evaluated. You can be advised a blood test and culture from the scrapings of the lesion so that the exact nature of the infection is confirmed. If it is bacterial infection then antibiotics can be advised. If it is due to viral infection then antiviral medicine like Acyclovir can be advised. For pain, take painkiller like ibuprofen and apply Lidocaine gel over it. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Honey Arora