Herpes, Cheilitis, Help!

[luvsade]

Over the past 18 months I've had multiple outbreaks which have been classified as Herpes.  From the start I've not felt like they were, they just didn't fit the symptoms.  I've been through all sorts of treatment, even Valtrex daily for suppression and it just isn't helping.  I've pretty much had an ongoing outbreak for the past 3 weeks.  My lips start swollen/bright red.  They are also red around the lip line where the skin meets the lips.  The burn and hurt so bad I can feel a pulse there.  They are extremely sensitive and burn when I eat most foods.  After a couple of days like that they start to dry and crack severely, sometimes to the point of bleeding.  Then they flake for a number of days until it's done.  

I've thought the drying/cracking was a sign of the Valtrex working, but my Family Dr. today said that wasn't a normal reaction from the meds.  When I went back today he said he thought it wasn't Herpes since it wasn't responding to the typical treatment.  The best he could come up with was Vit B deficiency and gave me a shot and recommended that I see a dermatologist.  After much online research tonight (after many tears of frustration) I finally found cheilitis.  Do you think that may be what it is?

[HypochonJacq]

are you under a lot of stress?

if you are, relax.  sometimes you can have what seems to be an allergic reaction because of the nerves being irritated by the stress.  are you allergic to seafood?  if you are, have you eaten any since the "outbreaks"?  have your doctor run a test to see if you are iodine sensitive.  

it could be anything...there are more people coming out with rash-like symtoms.  i think it's just a super-viris (mutated cold) that is finding new ways to scare people.

stay away from overly processed foods.  like i said, it could be anything.  if they are finding traces of lead in childrens toys after 20 years, imagine what could be in the food.

p.s. talk to God a bit.  ask him to protect you from being exposed to anything that could be causing this.  drink a lot of water, and take lots of vitamin C as it is a natural anti-oxidant that can help you eliminate contaminates in your body.  =)

don't worry.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

This does not sound anything at all like herpes, so the Valtrex is irrelevant to the diagnosis and the symptoms.  The most common form of cheilitis--eczema of the lip--is lip licking, usually from anxiety that it's herpes or such like.  I advise you to avoid all medications and that you do nothing but moisturize the lips with over-the-counter Aquaphor.  And find a doctor who won't treat you for herpes when you don't have it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[slacker101]

This does NOT sound like herpes in the slightest bit.