Herpes redness

[Stash]

My question concerns a red area that I have on my chin after a genital herpes episode. I have had herpes sores three times in the last three years about a year apart each time. (I was so surprised and devastated that when the tests came back positive for genital herpes I had the test done again). The outbreak has been on the same spot on my chin each time. I get a very large sore and blister and within a week or so, after taking 400 mil. of acyclovir three times a day I get a scab, it dries up and that

[yoshi2me]

Stash,

When you had the herpes test done did they type it? In other words ... did they tell you if the herpes on your chin was type-1 or type-2 ?

There are some site and type guidelines along with the differences between type-1 and type-2 herpes:
http://members.cox.net/yoshi2me/Site-Type/Site-Type.htm

Here is a little bit of the information you will find:

GENITAL HSV-2:
HSV-2 accounts for three quarters or more of all genital herpes cases. People with HSV-2 tend to have signs and symptoms of recurrent, though they may be unrecognized.

GENITAL HSV-1:
Often transmitted through oral sex, HSV-1 causes a substantial proportion of first-episode genital herpes, but it tends to recur much less frequently than HSV-2 in the genital area.

ORAL HSV-1:
HSV-1 causes the vast majority of oral herpes ("cold sores" or "fever blisters"). Keep in mind that anywhere from 50% to 80% of adults have latent oral herpes (usually acquired early in life); only about a third of these individuals recall any symptoms, however.

ORAL HSV-2:
It's rare to find someone who has oral HSV-2, but it can happen. After recovery from a possible first episode, such an infection is of little consequence in most cases, since oral HSV-2 is not likely to reactivate and cause signs or symptoms.

Hope this helps,

Angela

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I'm not sure why you're calling herpes of the chin "genital."  

In any case, persistent redness after a herpes episode is common enough.  Maybe this time the inflammation was bit more intense--over time, it won't matter.  The redness goes away in time, all by itself.  If you apply Vitamin E lotion or cream, that may help speed the process up.  Please avoid rubbing or scratching, as that delays things.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff