Question 1

i have very chapped lips and they busted open overnight, looked like a cut. i am herpes1 positive. how do i know if its a cold sore or just a cut?

Accepted Answer

Diffuse vs distinct: Chapped lips usually will involve large lip areas, vs cold sores would be more or less confined to a small area. Also, if vaseline application a few times a day gives you good relief, then it is most likely chapped lips

Question 2

how can i get rid of chapped lips and a cold sore!?

Accepted Answer

Comfortable: Do anything that makes you comfortable.  It takes about 2 weeks to go away no matter what you seem to do.  However check with your pharmacy for a few items that may make you more comfortable - remember that they generally do not shorten the 2 week time.

Question 3

chapped lips all weekend now have a little blister on bottom lip. it feels nothing like a cold sore. is it just due to chapped lips? contagious?

Accepted Answer

Assume cold sore: It is difficult to assess without an exam, but if it is painfull and you have a history of cold sores, you should avoid contact with other parts of your body, especially your eyes or anyone else until it is resolved. If the blister does not resolve or gets worse within a week, you should see your dentist for an exam.

Question 4

dry, red skin over upper lip. crusts over& drys out& flakes. not a cold sore or impitego. started out as chapped lips& has been there for 2 months

Accepted Answer

Get it looked at: you need someone to look at it to diagnose it.  How do you know it isn't a cold sore, impetigo, or something else? Answer: have a physician look at it.

Question 5

had what looked like a canker sore/white head directly on bottom lip. popped it and it went away. not a cold sore. usually get with chapped lips. ?

Accepted Answer

See your dentist: see your dentist.  You may have had an aphthous ulcer which is very similiar and not a cold sore.  It appears on soft muscosal tissue and lasts for 3-7 days.  It appears from stress and iatrogenic; unknown causes. It disappears usually after 7 days but, it is red and painful.  Viscous Lidocaine rinses and Lidex (fluocinonide) cream topically applied to the area help.

Question 6

having breakouts along my lip line. do not tingle like a cold sore, but throb like chapped lips. have taken 2 gm valtrex, (valacyclovir) no relief. have picture.

Accepted Answer

Patience!: You are probably suffering a common lesion of the lips.
For the time being, you should use over the counter balm with anesthesia, for relief of pain. After five days, if no improvement, consult your doctor(dentist).

Question 7

how do i know when my cold sore is gone? i get swollen lower lip, no blister or sore. swab tested hsv1 +ve. mostly healed, very dry and chapped lips

Accepted Answer

Chapped lips + HSV1: also called cheilitis is a common, treatable and preventable condition. Stay hydrated, apply lubricant, do not lick your lips and use your nose for breathing. No other treatment is necessary.
There no cure for HSV1 infection and often stress is an aggravating factor. Cold sores generally clear up without treatment within 10-14 days. Hope it helps.

Question 8

my lips are dry and cracking i can't seem to use chap stick lip gloss or even vasoline because ill get a cold sore every time. anything else i can try?

Accepted Answer

Dermatologist: True "cold sores" are caused by a virus. I would suggest that you consult with a dermatologist who can go over your complete medical history, medications (if you are taking any), habits, and what you have been using on your lips and its effects.  A specialist who can actually examine you and has more information would be the best provider to help resolve your issue.

Question 9

what can be done to cure dry lips from cold sore?

Accepted Answer

Some suggestions.: Try addressing the underlying issues.  Melissa officinalis or lemon balm (cream) expedites healing of cold sores. It can reduce healing time by half. Studies also show that regular use can help v recurrences.  Brief supplementation with lysine 1, 000mg orally three times a day at the onset, can also hasten healing. Your physician can prescribe oral valtrex (valacyclovir).

Question 10

can you get a cold sore on your lips after they are sun burnt?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Sun burn can damage outer protective skin layer hence exposing to all sorts of viral and bacterial infections.

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Doctor answers about:

Cold sore or chapped lips

A member asked:

I have very chapped lips and they busted open overnight, looked like a cut. i am herpes1 positive. how do i know if its a cold sore or just a cut?

A member asked:

How can i get rid of chapped lips and a cold sore!?

A member asked:

Chapped lips all weekend now have a little blister on bottom lip. it feels nothing like a cold sore. is it just due to chapped lips? contagious?

A member asked:

Dry, red skin over upper lip. crusts over& drys out& flakes. not a cold sore or impitego. started out as chapped lips& has been there for 2 months

A member asked:

Had what looked like a canker sore/white head directly on bottom lip. popped it and it went away. not a cold sore. usually get with chapped lips. ?

A member asked:

Having breakouts along my lip line. do not tingle like a cold sore, but throb like chapped lips. have taken 2 gm valtrex, (valacyclovir) no relief. have picture.

A member asked:

How do i know when my cold sore is gone? i get swollen lower lip, no blister or sore. swab tested hsv1 +ve. mostly healed, very dry and chapped lips

A member asked:

My lips are dry and cracking i can't seem to use chap stick lip gloss or even vasoline because ill get a cold sore every time. anything else i can try?

A member asked:

What can be done to cure dry lips from cold sore?

A member asked:

Can you get a cold sore on your lips after they are sun burnt?

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