Possible Cold Sore

I have a small sore "on" the corner of my mouth. It is not "in" my mouth but on the outside directly in the corner. I am prone to acne in that area on rare occasions. I have never had a cold sore in my life. However, this little bump is sore, slightly red and burns a little. Also, it hurts when I open my mouth all the way. There appears to be what I would call a white head. I am very aware of what they are and how they are transmitted. About five weeks ago, I was out drinking with my girl-friends. One of them had a cold sore. We play a game called pass the ice. My friend with the cold sore out break passed the ice to me. I was drunk and didn't pay much attention. I don't think our mouths come into contact. Now, I am paranoid that I will be getting cold sores. I am a little bit of a hypochondriac.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Herpes cold sores generally affect the middle of the lip, not the corners.  It could be a pimple, it could be an irritation.  Try putting bacitracin or neosporin ointment on it, don't mess with it which might confuse the issue, and show a doctor as soon as you can.  Not that it's an emergency, but you can only diagnose herpes with certainty when it's there.  If you wait till it's gone, you'll be left in doubt, and I don't think you need to be.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff