Herpes or ingrown hair?

[Craigdoe]

Starting about last night, I felt slight tingling around the area right above the left side of my lip.
There was nothing there.. Until this morning when I woke up, I a had a little red bump. Almost like a pimple, but it slightly burned and tingled. Throughout the day the white tip was more visible and now it looks like what the picture looks like.

Could this be herpes or is it an ingrown hair? or something else?

I get acne, so I would think it's a pimple, but I never have this symptoms with pimples... (burning, tingling,...etc)

I've searched a lot about ingrown hair.. it says that the hair should be visible, but I don't see any hair on mine.

What could this be?

I'm scared that it might be herpes. Help!

Thank You!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms and picture it looks like an infected hair follicle. Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful for folliculitis. If the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist as cold sores have to be ruled out.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[Craigdoe]

Thank you so much!!!

I just had a quick question.. are the topical antibiotics you mentioned necessary?

Would it cure itself without ointment?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
If it is a simple hair follicle, then it can heal even without antibiotics, but use of antibiotics will help in healing and will fasten it. But if the symptoms persist then cold sores has to be ruled out. I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.