is it a cold sore?

I've had thses little red bumps on my upper lip and lower lip for about 3 days. i also have little cuts on the inside of my upper and lower lip. you can only see them, if i flip my lips up or down. i have been using some lip balm to stop the burning sensation, but it really isn't working. oh, my lips are chapped too. i find it hard to open my lips sometimes. it hurts alot.  i want to say that i have a cold sore, but then I'm thinkig it may be something else. can anyone help me figure out what is it??

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms the possibility of cheilitis needs to be ruled out. Firstly,It can be due to vit B deficiency.Take some vitamin B complex for some days and see if your symptoms improve.
Secondly,it can be due to atopic dermatitis or eczema. Avoid licking the lips as saliva evaporates quickly resulting in them being drier than before. Drink plenty of water and take multivitamin supplements and do not apply lipstick or other cosmetic products for some days. Use a humidifier to moisturize the air in your home and apply shea butter or Vaseline on your lips.
If the condition still persists or there is deep cracking in the region of your mouth, then please consult your doctor as it can be due to infection(Angular Cheilitis).Antibiotics are needed in such cases.

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.

[marissa2007]

Thank you for the information, and helping me try to figure out the problem. Saturday night, the little red bumps went away. i've been applying carmex to my lips, and it has helped alot. the only thing that bugs me now, is that my upper lip is really soft. could this be because i've been applying carmex? are my lips trying to get back to normal? other than that, my lips are doing much better, i can open up my mouth with ease and no discomfort anymore.