Need advice - LIP SORE

[Pakigirl]

I am 22 years old female. I came to US 5 years ago and since then, i have lip sore ( not all the time though) sometimes under my lip and rarely on the upper lip. I can feel when it starts because it starts  itching and burning/ hurting. Then  it gets worse in a day or two. The skin gets damaged and it also bleed. I put different creams but they do not help. However, some chapsticks  do work on it and it gets fine. But  thats temporary because it happens again and again at least once a month sometimes more often. and stays for at least a week. This has been happening for 5 years now.

PS: I dont have medical insurance and cant afford to go see doctors again and again because i tried and paid 100s for nothing! they  cant even figure out what is wrong. So any  advice will be appreciated.

Thank You.


This discussion is related to Really Confused and Scared about Lip Sores.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Oral herpes is caused by HSV 1. It is spread by touching infected saliva, mucous membranes or skin. It is true that it lies dormant in the dorsal root ganglion and may occur anytime in life. The sores and symptoms of oral herpes completely clear up in 2-3 weeks after treatment. But the sores may reappear under certain stressful situations. Treatment is not life lomg but may be required when there is a flare up in later life.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Warm regards.

[Pakigirl]

Thank you  Dr for the reply. I have few questions. I searched online to get more information and i found out HSV1 is herpes. Is it called by sexual intercourse ? Because I am virgin and there is no way i got herpes through sexual intercourse.
I also found out that once a person gets this virus, it stays inside that person for the rest of his life and becomes active latent time to time. If this is the case then does  medicines help? and Does that person  have to use medicines for the rest of his life to control it?
Another question, does  weather affects it? What if i live in warm weather.... is it still  going to be active in hot  weather?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like a cold sore due to HSV1. Pain, burning, tingling, or itching occurs at the infection site before the sores appear. Then clusters of blisters erupt which break down. You need to get some investigations 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.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Warm regards.