HERPES

Allergic Reaction or Herpes

Dear Dr. Rob:

I am a 25 year old female. I have had cold sores since child hood. Anyway I usually have outbreaks once a year, because of my consistent prudence. 6 days ago I had a cold sore, but I think it is not because of cold or stress, rather than the depilatory wax I used so hard in my mustache area. I am convinced of this because I have no glands in my chin or behind my ears, as I usually have when I have common cold sores. The cold sore is located between my nose and the upper lip. The problem is that I thought that the sore was healed, so I pick off the crust. Now I have a red area which stings any time I wash it, or use Acyclovir. Please tell me what should I do in this case, the most severe one I had.

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Dr. Rob’s Response:

Dear Female with Cold Sore:

Although it is possible that this is a herpes lesion, it is also possible it is an allergic reaction to the depilatory agent that you used for you mustache area. I would suggest a triple antibiotic cream and if that doesn’t work in 3 to 4 days, then you better get a physician to determine what further things might be necessary. If this is an allergy, the Acyclovir will not work.

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