lipe sores

[Brittany1419]

About 4 months ago i started out with symptoms of strep.  Before I could get in to see a doctor I got a fever of 104 degrees that lasted for 5 hours.  A day or so later I got a sore on my mouth, and i disregarded it since my doctor started me on strep medicine.  The medicine helped my sore throat but 3 days later the sores spread and were on my cheeck, gums, inside lip, and on the inside of my lower lip.  It hurt to eat and swallow. It took another 3 days and they were gone.  Since then every few weeks one or two will show up again in the exact same place on the top of my lower lip closest to the inside of my mouth.  They are white/red (hard to see unless your infront of my face) and sometimes blends pretty close to the color of my lips.  They always will end up going away but there is always almost like a scar in the place they show up at. (not noticeable unless within an inch)  Im just curious on what they could possibly be.  Canker sores? herpes? blisters?

Thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination confirming a diagnosis is very tough but the various possibilities are perioral dermatitis(red papules or pustules appear around the lips), Fordyce spots(normal superficial sebaceous (oil-producing) glands seen on the moist tissue) , angular cheilitis(inflammatory lesion at the corners of the mouth) and cold sores.

Perioral dermatitis is a chronic papulopustular and eczematous facial dermatitis. Treatment consists of oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. A mild soap or soap substitute, such as Dove or Cetaphil should be used for washing. Scrubbing should be avoided.If the symptoms are not controlled by topical antibiotics,then oral antibiotics may be needed.

My advice is to consult a dermatologist and get oral herpes ruled out. Although herpes presents as blisters that scab over, but it can be completely ruled out after getting investigated for herpes.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[A1JoMama]

Canker sores and oral herpes (simplex 1) and fever blisters are all the same thing. They are painful blisters, usually start with a tingly feeling, burn or itch that eventually crust over, then dry up. They are very contagiou, painful and usually get pretty large (size of an eraser head) Herpes is a virus you catch and it will always be in your body. It will stay dormant for sometimes years at a time and for whatever reason, stress or illness, it can resurface and it always comes back in the same spot.

When you say your cheek (do you mean outside on your face or inside your mouth?)  and gums, that sounds like mouth sores associated with SHINGLES a different type of herpes virus ( I think). SHINGLES usually show up on other body parts like the abdomen, chest and back, however they can be on your face and in your mouth. These are extremely painful, can be large and widespread and usually take along time to clear up. There are many types of herpes virus that cause blisters and rashes, so you should have it diagnosed the next time you get it.

The next time you have an outbreak try to go to a doctor to make sure thats the diagnosis....and get a prescription (with continual refills!) for Acyclovir (Generic for Valtrex). Acyclovir is not expensive but Valtrex is. Name brand is always more. When taken regularly it can prevent outbreaks, I havent had one in over 15 years and I take one a day. If you do have an outbreak you take a stronger dose and it clears it up much faster with less pain. Besides you don't need your face to be scarred up. so prevention is best. Also, DO NOT KISS PEOPLE OR SHARE FOOD, CUPS ETC., WHEN YOU HAVE IT! Thats probably how you got it in the first place if thats what it is!!! I hope this helps! Good luck!