Sore

I was wondering, I had a sore on my face just above my lip that the sore itself last for about six weeks.  It looked at first like a cold sore but got worse with time.  There was almost craters in the middle of the sore.  the best I could describe it - looks like someone took a big cigar & burned my face with it.  The sore has since healed up but there is a scar which is red.  It still gets tingly sometimes.  I have seen my local Dr. who gave me two kinds of cream to put on it those haven't taken the redness away.  This is going on 3 months having this.  I am wondering if it's possible to have basal cell skin cancer?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is very unlikely for a cold sore to last for such a period of time. However since the sore has been present for 3 months, it is advisable to get a biopsy skin done of this sore to confirm the diagnosis. For cold sores caused due to HSV 1, get tests like sample from the sores to identify the virus, culture analysis, Tzanck smear, antigen and antibody studies and blood sampling for antibody studies done to confirm the diagnosis. My sincere advice would be to consult a dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.