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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Red Sores Around The Mouth?

It seems every time I get a cold I get a sinus infection. And with it I usally get these small red sores around my mouth. They look like zits but when they break open they seem to spread some. They kind of hurt and seem to crust over a little. Do you know what this could be?
Tue, 29 Apr 2014
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Dermatologist,  's  Response
These are most likely cold sores/herpes labialis infection caused by Human Herpes Virus (HHV). Dont worry around 80-90% of population harbours this infection in their nerves around mouth. It usually comes after cold/sinus infections (hence the name cold sores). The treatment of cold sores involves intake of antiviral drug called acyclovir. There are two ways to go about:

1. Start taking treatment before appearance of the cold sores when there is little bit of burning/tingling around the lip area. (dose is usually 400mg acyclovir thrice a day for 7 days).
OR

2. Take suppressive regimen of acyclovir with 400mg twice a day for 1 year so that the virus goes away completely from the nerves.

What to be done is your choice. (In my opinion, 1st option is better as success of 2nd option is doubtful)

Regards
Dr. Tushar K
drtusharks@gmail.com

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What Causes Red Sores Around The Mouth?

These are most likely cold sores/herpes labialis infection caused by Human Herpes Virus (HHV). Dont worry around 80-90% of population harbours this infection in their nerves around mouth. It usually comes after cold/sinus infections (hence the name cold sores). The treatment of cold sores involves intake of antiviral drug called acyclovir. There are two ways to go about: 1. Start taking treatment before appearance of the cold sores when there is little bit of burning/tingling around the lip area. (dose is usually 400mg acyclovir thrice a day for 7 days). OR 2. Take suppressive regimen of acyclovir with 400mg twice a day for 1 year so that the virus goes away completely from the nerves. What to be done is your choice. (In my opinion, 1st option is better as success of 2nd option is doubtful) Regards Dr. Tushar K drtusharks@gmail.com