itchy lump on lip now irritated, may be cold sore?

13 days ago, on a Friday night, I felt an itchy bump on my lip. I've never had a cold sore before and was hoping it wasn't that. I put some zinc cream on it and the next morning i could still feel it . definitely not a blister but it was itchy and irritated. It didn't really bother me for the next few days (i stopped worrying about it being a cold sore after visiting the local pharmacist/chemist who said it didn't look like one. Then about a week later (4 days ago), it was pretty itchy again and I think i was scratching it a bit with my teeth, probably making it more irritated. I'm not sure if i've just broken the skin or if it is a cold sore. It doesn't hurt (but stings a bit when i've applied ointments to it- zinc and aloe vera gel) but doesn't seem to be clearing up. It doesn't look like a huge blister but does look a bit lumpy, and is broken skin.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Nothing can be said with surety without a clinical examination and it would be best to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms and a confirmed diagnosis.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and they're contagious. Signs and symptoms of cold sores include:
-Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on a raised, red, painful area of your skin
-Pain or tingling, called the prodrome, often precedes the blisters by one to two days
-Usual duration of seven to 10 days

Cold sores usually appear on your lips. Occasionally, they occur on your nostrils, chin or fingers.

Cold sores generally clear up without treatment in seven to 10 days. If you experience frequent bouts, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to treat cold sores.

Let us know if you need any further information.

Regards.