Upper lip, rash-like symptom

[sappho334]

I have a yellowy open group of sores on my upper lip. They do not itch, but they are painful in the way that any open wound is (sensitive to the things they touch, especially food and drink). Unlike what I might recognize as a herpes sore, they are very small and spread out in groups. When I first developed these symptoms over a year ago, they were concentrated on one side of my lip, but now I am experiencing them all over and they have lasted longer (presumably because they have opened?). They went away for months, but where they had been I could see lighter areas under the surface of my lip when I stretched it out, they resembled scar tissue and like the sores they looked like tiny dots. They seem to be going away, but I'd hate to think that this is going to continue to recur, and I certainly don't want to pass it on to anyone else!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

This may be a case of a recurrent cold sore. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex type 1. It is viral in nature and thus is contagious.This is just a strong differential and may need to be ascertained by your physician.

Cold sores like aphthous ulcers may be recurrent.

Have you taken any medications for this?

You may need antiviral topical medications for the area to shorten the duration and decrease recurrence. Cold sores are best treated with oral medications during initial episodes. In your case, discuss this with your physician. This is likely to recur again.

Avoid any intimate contacts which can increase skin to skin contacts with the involved area. Drink plenty of water and fruit juices. Take vitamin supplements and eat well.

[sappho334]

The insides of my mouth are not affected. The sores, which are each the size of a pin *****, are all near the very inside most part of my lip where it rests upon the bottom one. They are clustered so as to cover the greater part of this area.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

This may be a case of aphthous ulcers or cold sores. An overlying fungal or bacterial infection may also be present. "Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters that usually occur on the lips, gums, or roof of the mouth. They're caused by the herpes simplex virus and are contagious. There may be pain or tingling one to two days before the cold sores appear.". Cold sores may resolve spontaneously after approximately 9 days. Another differential for your case will be apthous ulcers or apthous stomatitis. This condition may also affect the mouth. However, unlike cold sores, they usually affect the insides of the mouth such as the walls and the roofs of the mouth. However, they may occur as small clustered lesions that may recur and persist for quite sometime.

Source:http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm

In your case, you have only noted the lesions to affect the lips. Are the insides of your mouth also affected?

Apthous ulcers do have a herpetic form.The mimic the presentation of herpes.