Correlation between impetigo and cold sores

My 10 yr old son has been plagued with HSV 1  since his first birthday.  He shared a sippy cup with a child that had active cold sores.  

The last year he has had a plethora of them.  The big change has been impetigo.  Whenever he gets a cold sore, impetigo is quick to surface as well.  

We are clean people and are crazy about hand washing, so what gives?

His doctor won't prescribe oral zovirax to prevent these cold sores and I am not sure why.  We do have the cream and the bacitracin for impetigo.  

I don't know if we should go to an infectious disease doctor or dermatologist.  Poor kid also got mulloscumcatiosum from day care years ago.  This poor kid is healthy as a horse except for skin conditions

Pic is day 3 of break out.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Unfortunately I am not aware of any co relation between impetigo and cold sores due to HSV1. Impetigo is a bacterial infection which is highly contagious and cold sores is caused by the herpes virus and is a viral infection. Impetigo is often a differential diagnosis for cold sores but for confirming the diagnosis, I suggest you to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.