Definitely think that its herpes

[MollyOzium]

When I was 18 there was a "scare" that I had a herpes sore on my vaginal area after my gyno examined it b/c I had a burning and painful sensation down there. He prescribed me Valtrex and sent me home. I was scared and went to a diff. doc in a general practice office who said he didnt see anyhting but did a blood test and I tested pos for herpes type 1 (HSV1). He said not to worry b/c its probably just a stran of the chicken pox. Obviously that answer sounded better and I didn't want to worry or take the valtrex daily. What an idiot he is and how stupid am I for going along!

It wasn't until 2-3 years ago when I noticed that white pimple like things were appearing around my mouth area 1-2 at a time and they would start as bright white heads and then turn into ugly yellow looking pimples. I started taking valtrex daily assuming that my girlfriend of 5 years had probably spread it from one area to the other. I insisted that she go on something and she said her Dr. said she didnt have anything and didnt bother. I was on Valtrex 1gm and taking one daily and I would take 2 when I would see the 'pimple like' things coming back until about a year ago when I switched to Acyclovir 400MG b/c its cheaper. Since then and more so probably the last 6 months, these white pimple things have gotten worse. I know stress is said to increase the severity of out breaks and well I just lost my father in october and a best friend in december and for the past two months I've had these large bright red bumps that start out as pimples but remain there painfully for days, exceeding a week sometimes. I really don't feel stressed though i mean these things that happened were tragic so thats why Im even pointing to them but regardless Im not stressed daily except about these stupid things.

I have been told by the dermatologist that its acne, although one recently took a swab of a pimple which he called a pustule or whatever b/c I insisted it was herpes and he said no but i pretty much begged him to take a swab. I havent heard back from him yet. Anyway the last few weeks and even the past few days it has been so bad that I dont go a day without the burning/itching sensation and something popping up. Im not talking about a red bump that goes away i mean like viscous white head that turns yellow and gets huge and swollen and is painful as hell.  I'm on 400mg of Acyclovir and I take 2 a day! Why is it so bad suddenly? Is valtrex better?

The derm I just went to prescribed me benzol peroxide which i just started washing my mouth chin area with daily and ive read about lysine adn vitamin c which I will buy today b/c I cant deal with these ugly things anymore! Anything else I can do!?!?

Any suggestions? Ive pretty much, despite what the docs say, ruled out acne. But the only thing that keeps me hoping a little that its just acne is b/c these things are scarring around my mouth. Herpes supposedly does not scar. Then again I was stupid once and I refuse to be this time.

This *****. Feedback - anyone?

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

Oral herpes presents with a group of blisters on a red base that dry up rapidly and leave scabs.The prodrome to herpes infections typically involves a burning or tingling sensation that precedes the appearance of blisters by a few hours or a day or two.  If something lasts for weeks, it is unlikely to be herpes.  Other differential to be considered aside from acne are perioral dermatitis or eczema. Try to wait for the result of the swab for proper diagnosis.  Continue the medications prescribed by your doctor. If it is acne, it may take a while for the results to show.It is important to keep the area clean and dry. Try also to avoid manipulating the lesion to prevent secondary infection.

Take care and keep us posted.  

[MollyOzium]

The doctor called me back this morning with the lab results. The viral culture did not come back yet so he did not confirm that this was not herpes. However, the bacterial results did come back and apparently the pustule that he popped and swabbed yielded the bacteria known as "klebsiella" which is found in stool and the respiratory system? I am confused as to how it got on my face but just happy that I will finally be put on medicine to get rid of it. I do not break out very often and when I do its usually one pimple in the t-zone. This mouth stuff has been going on for 2 years at least and has gotten significantly worse the last couple of months - I hate looking in the mirror b/c they are ugly so i am very happy that HOPEFULLY anti-biotics will treat this.

I've been googling this klebsiella sucker and I have not found many articles about it and it causing acne or pustules. Do you know anything about this?  I have read that it causes a really bad pnemonia (pneumonia) and that it is common in alcoholics, people with chronic lung disease etc. I wouldn't suggest that I am a raging alcoholic, but I do drink alot so I guess that cannot help. How would I have gotten it on my face? I typically do not shovel human feces in or around my mouth! And I don't know how I'm exposed to someones respiratory system....

Howver, when these things do come up around my mouth and lips - I do experience tingling and burning like the prodrome you described in your response. When these things are on my face - I feel that too. And they hurt a lot! This still all sounds like herpes, I guess I'll have to wait for hte viral to come back but is it possible I have both!?

Anything I can take - vitamin/supplement wise, that might help?

I appreciate your feedback.

Thank you.