recurrent/constant HSV 1 labialis

Hi I'm 26 yrs old, healthy guy without any medical problems. Since October 2010, I've been struggling with recurrent hsv-1 lesions. The lesions I have aren't the typical cold sores that are repeatedly referred to. I get 2 white head zits that are close to one another on the side of my mouth and very close to my mouth. Sometimes they last 3-4 days and sometimes it is a hard zit that will last 10 days. I get the lesions 3-4 days after one outbreak finishes. I would even qualify the recurrence as constant outbreaks. The symptoms are the typical symptoms of itching, burning, redness, hurting etc... But the lesions never turn into cold sores with crust of whatever. I remember having a typical cold sore about 4 yrs ago. I remember that outbreak because I was at the dentist for cavities and the dentist applied some vaseline since the corner of my mouth was very sore. But that's the only time that I can recall having a "cold sore". I went to the doctor and he sent me for a blood test. He thought it might of been hsv-2 labialis. I live in Canada and the way it works is if the medical center doesn't call you back, it means that there's no problem. I didn't get a call back. I have to mention that I've been subject to stress and anxiety lately because of my mother having breast and brain cancer and side effects from radiation treatments to her brain. But at some point I would think that my antibodies would do the job with these hsv-1 zits. I also spoke with different pharmacists and they all told me that it wasn't normal. I'm pretty sure that it's herpes since I get also during the winter acne, so I can make the distinction between the two. Now my question is, WHAT should I do??? Go on suppressive treatment or maybe wait to see if it will stop at some point. This is causing me stress and problems to meet girls since I'm single. By the way I've been having angular chelitis(perleche) for a while now as well. Could that be triggering my hsv-1 lesions? Please reply soon! By the way , I've been using Zovirax and taken valtrex but it doesn't do much.

[gracefromHHP]

these don't sound like cold sores going on.   even if you do have oral herpes, these don't sound like they are related to it.

Odds are you didn't get a type specific herpes igg blood test done in canada. definitely find out because if you are going to bother to test for herpes, you should bother to have accurate testing done.

if it's not herpes, all the herpes antivirals in the world aren't going to help.

consult with a dermatologist for a more thorough work up.

grace

[mike_6211]

Thank you Grace, but the doctor specifically indicated to have the herpes test that distinguishes type 1 from type 2. They didn't call me back which means I don't have type 2 but I will consider your advice to go seek an app. with a dermathologist. Thank you for your reply.

[mike_6211]

Just another question: The fact that the zits reappear at the same spots and that they hurt, you still think it's not herpes? What else could it be. And by the way it's always one side at a time, and it switches to the other side ...

[gracefromHHP]

assume nothing and call for the test results yourself.  write down the results and post them here - e.g. hsv1 igg 5.9 and hsv2 igg .32 or whatever they are.

oral herpes doesn't typically switch from one side to the other like that either.

[mike_6211]

Hi grace, I went to the doctor this morning and saw the results of the herpes blood test. It said that both for hsv 1 & 2, Negative. I was wondering, then how can I have a cold sore 4 yrs ago in the corner of my mouth and test negative on the blood test? The test was a blood test that distinguishes the 2 types. She also told me that the big zit near the corner of my mouth didn't look like herpes. She gave me an appointment with the dermatologist. I'm so confused because I got all the symptoms of herpes, like the tingling, itching, pain,etc... I get repeated zits at the same spots near the corner of my mouth and they last 7-10 days, what else could it be if it's not herpes? Btw , I read that smoking and coffee can cause outbreaks, so I stopped the 2. Tell me what you think plz.

[gracefromHHP]

even the best blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. you can still have hsv1 and not test + for it on the blood tests.   lesion cultures of action symtoms (symptoms) done within 48 hours of their appearance are how we diagnose it best.  

let us know how your consult goes :)

[mike_6211]

Hi Grace, me again...My zits have returned, same pattern, 2 zits at same time but on the other side now. I'm fed up of not knowing what it it...I took a picture of them this time. Is there a way I could send it to you so you could give me your opinion? I know we cant post anything here...

[william28]

Go to the doctor very soon to have a swab test.

[gracefromHHP]

I don't look at pictures.

did you see the dermatologist yet?

[MrDonut]

Great counsel you passed on to william28. Perhaps he may have some complicated form of Fordyce Dots which should indeed be tended to by a dermatologist.  Keep up the good work.

[mike_6211]

Nope haven't seen the dermatologist yet , it's so long here in Canada with the public system, takes a month or 2 b4 getting an app. with a derm. I'll keep you posted for sure though.

[gracefromHHP]

well hopefully you can be seen when you have symptoms to get better answers. not really anything else we can possibly help you with this at this point to be honest.

[mike_6211]

I just got an app. tomorrow Friday 8pm, I took pictures yesterday of my skin condition so hopefully the saga will end tomorrow. I'll keep you posted...

[mike_6211]

Hi Grace, the dermatologist told me that I have folliculitis and some kind of perioral dermatitis. Anyway to my great relief she just gave me a cream called Sulfacet-R. She also gave me things to do, like change my toothpaste to "sensodyne without fluoride", not eat steak spices for 3 weeks, shave in the way my beard hair grows and not use mouth wash. Hopefully people that are anxious about zits that look like cold sores on each sides of their mouth will read this thread.

Cheers grace and thanks for replying quickly to my posts.

Mike