Pimple on lip, nervous as to what it is

[bread43]

For 2 days now I have a red pimple where my facial skin meets my upper lip. Its red when I press on it, it hurts there is no white head in the middle of it. I dont know what to make of this and im very nervous?

1- can this just be a pimple? but shouldnt it always have a white head?

2- can this be due to herpes, cold sore or something like that?

please help, thanks.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,


This could be a pimple or folliculitis or inflammed hair follicle.This usually resolves on its own but may also recur.

Cold sore, on the other hand,  may present as small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on a raised, red area of the skin, typically around the mouth; pain or tingling, often precedes the blisters by one to two days; and may last seven to ten days.  Your lesion as you have described do not point to this diagnosis.

Keep the area clean and dry. Avoid manipulating the lesion to prevent secondary infection. If it persists, it would be best to have it evaluated further by your doctor. Take care nd keep us posted.

[bread43]

thank u so much for your advice..so this lesion that i have even though it could be a pimple it does not have a whitehead do all pimples have whiteheads? i know folliculitis have a hair in the middle no?

i heard herpes can resemble a pimple? i really hope its nothing to worry about. im just scared nervous hoping its nothing

[bread43]

please note at time this pimple burns is this common if it was a pimple, folliculities, or inflammed hair follicile...if this was the case how long will this take to go away>

thanks.

[frankie0121]

now i notice that i think im coming down with a cold i have a scratchy thorat and getting body aches.. can this be related? with headaches as well..at the same time alot of people at work are sick

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

If there are a lot of people at work sick with the same symptoms, this could be a viral infection. Supportive treatment such as paracetamol for the fever and body pains, drinking plenty of fluids and rest may help.

However, is there any reason to suspect herpes?  Orofacial Herpes is due to a herpes simplex virus type (HSV) type 1 and symptoms typically begin with tingling or itching and reddening of the skin around the infected site. Eventually, fluid-filled blisters form on the lip  tissue and the area between the lip and skin. The recurrent infection is thus often called herpes simplex labialis. It is also important to know that most people infected with HSV type 2 or genital herpes are not aware of their infection. If signs and symptoms do occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands.

Take care and regards.

[frankie0121]

hey thanks for the advice.

i just had unprotected oral sex with a female and i developed a rash on both sides on my thigh fold. i think it was a fungal infection not sure..but i used creams, spray and all within a couple of weeks it left..and then i developed a pimple on my lip...now it has a whitehead on it and hurts when i dont touch it and when i squeeze it , it hurts too?

can this pimple be herpes if its not blisters? or can this just be a bad pimple