is it a cold sore

[Tanie85]

I just recently got over what I believed to be a cold sore. After seeing my boyfriend, I woke up in the morning with my upper lip and chin very irritated and raw. Im not sure if it would be from the cold sore or a rash from hos beard stubble. When I went to bed last night my chin was very raw and the skin was sticky and sweating. I woke up with a big patch on my chin completely red and raw, and i have what appears to be little white heads along my upper lip and around the patch on my chin. Its very painful and Ive been cleaning it with peroxide and trying to let the air dry it out. I also put Abreva on it just in case it is a cold sore. My boyfriend shows no signs of having a cold sore at all. Do you think it could be a cold sore and what should I be doing to help heal it?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be due to friction rub or infected hair follicles. Cold sore is another possibility because the person may shed the HPV even if there are no active lesions but without proper examination it is difficult confirming a diagnosis.
Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove and avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.