Pimples on top lip

I am 26 years old and have never had any problems with acne before. A couple of years ago i developed a pimple on my lip, and it grew and nearly covered the whole side of my lip. It did not go away for weeks. After that every month a week or two before my period I got it in the exact same place. Last year they started to spread I got them in different places on my top lip. In January I got one that got huge and too a month to go away ( I waited a week before I touched it) I used extringent, proactive, ear wax, alcohol, peroxide, ice, you name it I tried it and it would not go away! After it went away (I don't know how but it finally did) I was pimple free but It now has decided to come back on yet another spot on my lip (as if I have anymore clean lip left) It just came and I do not want to waste a month trying to get rid of it what do I do?

PS: The other pimples did go away but they never cleared completely, they look like tiny marks (not scars) on my lip.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but it can be a cold sore due to herpes virus.They are caused by a virus and are extremely contagious. Also, cold sores typically appear outside the mouth – usually, under the nose, around the lips, or under the chin.

The only way of ruling it out is by getting yourself tested for herpes. Laboratory tests include: culture of the virus, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) studies to detect virus, skin biopsy, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to test for presence of viral DNA. I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get it ruled out.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.