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A 23-year-old female asked:

I have a swollen painful bump on my nostril is it a cold sore? i've had it for 3 days and doesn't have a head like a pimple. it's very red and painful

3 doctor answers3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Edgar Mendizabal
Internal Medicine 57 years experience
Herpes: Very likely indeed. Suggest denavir (penciclovir).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Adam Bodian
Dermatology 37 years experience
May be: You may indeed have a cold sore. Is there tingling too? These are symptoms of a cold sore. However, it may be something entirely different. Please see your dermatologist to make the proper diagnosis and if it is a cold sore, you can start the proper treatment.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Patrick Abuzeni
Plastic Surgery 28 years experience
A good history: A good social and medical history would be helpful to try to pinpoint what you may have. It is certainly likely that you have a cold sore, but I am more inclined to believe that you have a simple pimple in that area. I have seen several like this, they tend to get very red, no visible head on the skin surface, and very painful.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Sep 28, 2016

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