Question:

I recently had a fever blister on my upper lip that lasted the usual 7 to 10days before healing completely. Im 32 and have had fever blisters on 2 other occassions. However, this time appx. a week after the fever blister healed I notice tiny bumps on my upper lip, where the upper lip touches the bottom lip. Im very concerned bc this has never happened before. It has been 2days since they appeared and there doesnt seem to be any liquid coming from them nor are they crusting over like a fever blister would. Is this normal? And is there a cream I can buy to rid myself of them? Also I obviously have the herpes simplex virus type1 and have read on this site that there are effective medicines that can be prescribed to limit or even block the disease. Can you please tell me what medications can block the disease? I do not have genital herpes but would like to know if my herpes simplex type 1 can be spread through oral sex and given to a partner who would then have genital herpes?

Answer:

If the tiny bumps you’ve noticed on your upper lip are slightly yellowish and don’t hurt, these are Fordyce granules, which are normal sebaceous (oil) glands that are found in this location in 90% of adults. They’ve been there for years, but you’ve just noticed them because you’re looking at your lip more critically. No treatment is necessary or indicated for this normal condition.

As for drugs that “block” herpesvirus infection, the most effective is valacyclovir (Valtrex), and it is a prescription item that your physician or dentist can prescribe. The drug should be given as soon as you notice the tingling or itching that develops just before an outbreak of herpes labialis.

As for transmitting Herpes simplex, type 1, to the genital region, it can occur. However, this specific virus really likes the oral regions better, so recurrences of HSV-1 in the genital area are uncommon. Most recurrent genital lesions are caused by HSV-2.

For more information:

Go to the Mouth Diseases health topic.