If not HSV-1, what could this be?

[bigbrowneyes1985]

I keep getting this weird white thing on my bottom lip (not sure if it's in the same spot or not...I can't remember).  It does happen when I'm sick, in the sun, or stressed more than other times, but it isn't like a typical cold sore.  It looks like a white area like chapped lips, but I can't scrape it off.  I have been trying, but it won't work.  The skin above it puffs up like crazy and I scrape it of, but then this still remains.  It kind of looks like a blister I guess, but maybe not on the top of my lip?!  It definitely hurts.

This is the worst that it's ever been (possibly from picking at it).  Normally it can't be seen well.

Last time I had it I picked it and finally the white part came off and it bled, and then I had a tiny hole in my lip for a couple of weeks.

It never oozes, crusts, or scabs up.  I have had HerpeSelect tests, and they come back negative for both types.  Is this a false negative, or do I have something else going on?  Do you have an explanation for this?

Here is a picture of it:
[IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp81/lilypad290/IMG_1233.jpg[/IMG]

[bigbrowneyes1985]

It always disappears after about three days or so.  Thanks for your advice!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Hard to tell from the picture, but this does not sound anything like herpes.  it sounds like an irritation that you pick at.  Please stop picking at it, for at least 6 weeks.  No biting wither.  If it's still there then show a doctor, but anything that lasts that long wouldn't be herpes anyway.  And herpes select tests for Type 1 herpes are not useful--even a positive only shows that you were once exposed to the virus somewhere on the body.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[bigbrowneyes1985]

When I say it's not on top of my lip, I'm suggesting that it might not be on the top layer of skin, since I can scrape the puffy skin above it off, but the white/slightly yellowish area still remains.  I'm not a doctor though, so I'm just making assumptions.

[bigbrowneyes1985]

Oops...that link doesn't work with the [IMG] around it.  Here it is again:
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp81/lilypad290/IMG_1233.jpg