Hello,
Thank you for choosing DoctorSpring.
The pattern of evolution is suggestive of HSV - Herpes Labials commonly called Cold sore. But cold sores does not scan this fast ! Can you send me a picture of the lesion ? You can take a couple of photos and attach as a followup query.
Thank you
Patient replied :
Hi Dr. Banodkar,
Thank you for getting back to me. Please see the attached photos.
Hello
Thanks for posting your query.
I can understand your concern.
From the history and the pictures, this does seem to be a cold sore, that is herpes caused by hsv.
The treatment for it would be intake of valacyclovir, which would require a prescription from your doctor.
Usually the cold sore resolves within three to four days on its own, however intake of valacyclovir helps in quicker healing and prevents pain.
Whenever there is a slight lowering of immunity, cold sore can surface. That happened due to your cold.
Application of neosporin cream on the lesions twice a day will be helpful.
Please let me know if you have any queries.
Take care
Patient replied :
Hi Dr. Banodkar,
I guess I'm really confused by the location of the lesion. Is this common? Also, will I get future breakouts in the same area? Thank you.
Hello
Thanks for your reply.
It is a common location for a cold sore. It can happen on any area of the skin on the body. There can be future breakouts too of the cold sore in the same area. Hope I have answered your queries.
Please let me know if you have any other concerns.
Take care
Patient replied :
One thing to note, aside from when I initially shaved over the area, I never felt any tingling or pain in the area. Is that common? Everything I read says before the outbreak occurs, there's a tingling and then once the outbreak occurs, there's pain. I didn't experience either. I do plan on getting tested for the virus by my primary care physician this week to confirm.
Also, is valacyclovir recommended for treatment once the outbreak occurs or before as a preventative measure?
Lastly, what do you recommend to avoid future breakouts (prescriptions or otherwise)? I've read that foods with high Arginine content should be avoided. Any other tips? I really don't want to experience another one of these..... Thanks.
Hello
Thanks for your reply. I can understand how you feel about this.
However, sometimes patients may not feel tingling or pain before the lesions show up, it may even start a while later after the lesions show up. At times, patients don't experience the pain n tingling during the whole period of the presence of lesions.
Valacyclovir is a treatment measure and can also be used for preventing future attacks. It's a prescription medicine.
There are no food related tips that would really help in prevention.
Take care