Need an expert opinion, What is this?

[curiousspots]

Hello,
About a week ago I noticed a small bump below the corner of my mouth and thought that i was getting a pimple.  The next day my lips became very chapped and peeled. preceding this i had a couple of nights of extremely dry mouth.
When i looked closely (by stretching my lip over my tongue) i saw what appeared to be a few bumps along the outside of the lip line. They had a strange itchiness. I also noticed that there were a few tiny white bumps along the corner of my upper lip but these appeared to be really oily clogged pores with sebum coming out in tiny spikes. I tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2 this summer and have not really been with anyone since then. I saw my PA today and he started to write me out a prescription for zovirax but decided to have me get my labs done again since it has been six months and i tested neg last time. he thought it might be herpes of some type but really didnt seem to be sure.
I would like to get a dermatologist's opinion though as far as what you think it could be.
I noticed that the surrounding skin has what look like clogged pores and that my lips surrounding the bumps have tiny white bumps EVERYWHERE in that area. when i look in other areas of my face especially stretching out the middle of my chin i have the same tiny clogged pores that look like tiny white hairs. Could these be infected pores or the fordyce condition that i have been reading so much about? there is no real pain involved or any erruptions. just small bumps hanging in there. I shaved and now have a few ingrown hairs but no real new bumps or clusters. Again, It has been 7 days since this began. Thanks for any feedback you can give me. (On the photo please ignore the big white dot on my upper lip, it's just a piece of dry skin that was peeling off.)

[curiousspots]

HSV 1 and 2 came back negative on the blood work.
Its been about two weeks now since they appeared.The applcation of rubbing alcohol seems to be reducing the size of the larger line of bumps along the lip line (difficult to see in the photo).

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Fordyce spots are small yellowish-white granules on the inner surface and border of the lips. The spots are a form of ectopic sebaceous gland, and are not known to be associated with any disease or illness. They cannot be removed and do not appear all of a sudden. so chances are less that they are Fordyce spots.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[curiousspots]

Firstly, thank you for the reponse. Would folliculitis explain the lesions on the lips themselves? I have considered Fordyce Granules or even possibly HPV.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be folliculitis. Keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.