Help, what should I do??!

I posted this message before, but under a horribly misleading title, so I'll post it again, sorry for the inconvenience.  Also I start out talking about herpes but it goes into a diagnosis of dermatitis, so please consider my entire situation.

About 8-10 months ago I got herpes type 1 from a girl I was dating.  I had all the symptoms of a primary herpes outbreak, every last one.  Once I recovered, I was absolutely fine for about a month or two.  But over the past half year, every couple of weeks, my chin starts to tingle, and a red rash develops.  It stays for one or two weeks, then it's gone.  But, a week or so after that, it will start to come back.  So, I'm having very frequent outbreaks.

Today I finally decided to face the music and see a doctor about it.  I live in South Korea.  I told the doctor that it comes and goes all the time.  He asked if it itched, I said "Not so much, it tingles sometimes though."  Why oh why didn't I just say "yes"?  Anyway, I told him that I thought it was herpes.  He looked confused and rubbed my chin with his thumb.  After a moment's contemplation he said, "This is dermatitis.  Herpes is blister."  He then gave me a tube of cream and SEVERAL pills to take over the next three days.  Nine pills a day (Korea is like that, if you have a cold they try to give you a shot and dozens of pills...).  I'm worried that it's herpes though because from what I read, it can just be a red rash for some people.  Now, I will admit, I have never gotten a cold sore on or around my mouth since that first primary outbreak.  It's always just my chin.  And it doesn't really turn into a huge sore that bursts, it kind of flakes off and returns to normal color over a week or so.  But it always comes back.


My question is this:  Should I just assume that he knows what he is talking about and follow his instructions?  What if it is herpes and these pills and cream make it worse?

[johndoe880]

I would really appreciate it if someone knowledgeable answered my concerns here.  This chin rash is so terribly frustrating and I don't know what to do.

[johndoe880]

A little help here folks?  It is Christmas.

I took the pills and used the cream.  It seems to be better but only in the sense that it always gets better anyway.  Actually, if anything, it seems like this cream may have darkened the healing spots.

Please, someone, give me some sound advice on what to do if it comes back?

Happy Holidays,
John

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms perioral dermatitis and atopic dermatitis needs to be ruled out. Perioral dermatitis is a chronic papulopustular and eczematous facial dermatitis. Treatment consists of oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. A mild soap or soap substitute, such as Dove or Cetaphil should be used for washing. Scrubbing should be avoided.

If the symptoms are not controlled by topical antibiotics, then oral antibiotics may be needed. My sincere advice is to consult a dermatologist and get it evaluated.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[johndoe880]

Thank you for your response.  Next time it comes back I will try to find a good English-speaking dermatologist that will be able to help me as best as he/she can.  Take care.