how do i get rid of a small sore on the side of my lip?

Question

its like a wound. it get dried but keeps on coming on and paining. what could be the problem or what could be the illness

Answer 1

Mouth sores and you can use some ointment antibotics over the counter or camphoneque over the counter. They both will work great.

Answer 2

Cold sores


Reviewed by Dr John Pillinger, GP


What are cold sores?

Cold sores are a very common illness caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

The disorder is characterised by groups of fluid-filled blisters which appear on red swollen areas of the skin or on the mucous membranes. The areas can be tender and painful. The blisters heal without scarring but have a tendency to recur.


There are two types of herpes simplex virus.


HSV-1, which is the most common type, usually causes cold sores (oral herpes). HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes. But both types can infect any area of the skin or mucous membranes.


Approximately 80 per cent of the adult population have antibodies against HSV-1 in their blood.


Around 25 per cent of the adult population have antibodies against HSV-2.


What causes the virus?

The virus can only be transmitted by close personal contact such as kissing. Most people will have come into contact with the virus between the ages of three and five but will not show any symptoms until after puberty.

HSV invades the cells of the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, causing fluid-filled blisters to appear. The virus travels from the epidermis along the nerve paths to the roots of the nerves where it becomes inactive.

A weakening of the body's defences, due to a severe cold for example, can lead to a reactivation of the virus and a return of the blisters.

What are the symptoms?

The primary infection can progress in different ways. Some people only have very mild symptoms or none at all. The first outbreak starts one to three weeks after the virus has been contracted. It subsides spontaneously within a few weeks. Later, if HSV is reactivated, the blisters will return.

The first symptom of an outbreak is an unpleasant tingling feeling in the skin. After a short while, a number of fluid-filled blisters appear.

The sores become covered by scabs that, typically, fall off after 8 to 10 days. The virus can spread until the sores are completely covered by scabs.

Around 20 per cent of the people with HSV antibodies have recurrent attacks of cold sores throughout their lives.

In children, the virus can infect the mouth and throat. The infection may be accompanied by a fever and general aches and pains.

What can be done to prevent cold sores?


Avoid direct contact with the sores. These can appear on every part of the body, including the fingers and genitals.


Wash your hands after touching the lips.


Avoid picking at the sores as this can spread the virus to other parts of the body or result in a bacterial infection of the sores.


The body's defences can be strengthened by a healthy lifestyle. Eat a varied diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep.


The factors which trigger outbreaks differ from person to person.


Menstruation, fever and exposure to sunlight can cause a reactivation in some people. In others, there is no demonstrable cause. Using a sunblock may help to prevent a reactivation.


How are cold sores diagnosed?

A combination of the patient's medical history and the appearance of the sores will usually be sufficient for a diagnosis. A scrape or a blood sample can be used to confirm it.

Possible complications


The sores may become infected by bacteria.


If the condition spreads to the eyes, it can damage vision.


In patients who suffer from atopic dermatitis, the cold sores can, in rare cases, spread to larger parts of the body.


Massive cold sores can be a sign that another disease, pneumonia or HIV for example, has weakened the body's defences.


How are cold sores treated?

Treatment is aciclovir 5 per cent cream (eg Zovirax cold sore cream), applied to the cold sore five times a day for five days. This can be bought over-the-counter from a pharmacy or obtained on prescription.

The treatment should be started as soon as the first symptoms appear. It can often reduce the length of the outbreak and the infectious period.

Recurrent severe attacks can be treated by anti-HSV agents in pill form.

Future prospects

The development of the disease differs from person to person. Some people will have few or no reactivations while others have recurrent outbreaks. Recurrences seem to become less frequent with age.

Answer 3

Try rinsing with salt water if they subside it was kanker sores although Kanker sores attatch to the taste bud not usually by the webbing. Maybe you should get a second opinion, cause if the doctor said it was not an infection he should atleast be attempting to find out the next issue it could be. Also if you are having severe pain, you can try to chew on ginger root or fennel seeds to numb the inside of your mouth even gripe water can work to numb it ( which is fennel oil ) Sorry I cant offer much more help

Answer 4

Good gracious. Sounds like you have a cold sore aka herpes of the mouth(much milder form than the later version :). I would advise you to get Zovirax or Abreva. I can't say that I know for sure, but I've heard that they work wonders. Also, consult your physician. Take care.

Answer 5

First, cover the sore with makeup. Then go to the doctor. Because it is really gross to everyone see the sore. sorry.

Answer 6

I think you have a canker sore and type of herpes from bacteria. Rinse your mouth with salt water.

Answer 7

Is it a cold sore?....if so, you've just got to wait for it to go away.

Answer 8

these look the symptoms of the disease herpys, go to a doctor as soon as possible, and these things never go away fully, they keep on coming and going.

Answer 9

Yeah go see a docter but until then you should use carmex

Answer 10

well you have a cold sour and you get some different things for it at different places such as wal-mart, walgreens.....ect. ask a doc.