Cold Sores?

I had two outbreaks of cold sores in the past so I know how they look like. Unfortunately, I have one right now as well. But on novemeber, I started developing these little tiny red bumps on my upper lips. They didnt look like blisters but they at one point had moist coming out from them so I figured they were cold sores esp. since i just had fever when they came out. At the time, the weather was very cold as well, so i thought cold sore. Then, I used abreva and it went away in 10days. Then, 2 weeks later or so, it started appearing as well. It made my upper lip a little swollen and red. I also now have these on my bottom lips. What I do now is put nivea lip balm and herpecin L. The herpecin L made the bumps dry out and disappeare for a couple of days but now, I got it back again. I recently went to my doctor and before I can tell her my story, she cut me off and told me about cold sores and the herpe virus, since my cold sore was very obvious. I didnt get the chance to ask her what these little tiny itchy bumps on my lips. Could these be cold sore as well?!?!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the bump looks like cold sores but the small itchy bumps are less likely to be cold sores and can be due to allergic reaction, contact dermatitis. You need to get some investigations like sample from the sores to identify the virus, culture analysis, Tzanck smear, antigen and antibody studies and blood sampling for antibody studies done to confirm the diagnosis. My sincere advice would be to consult a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.