Cause of lip swelling a mystery

August 30, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 80-year-old mother has been suffering with lip swelling and redness for three months and we can’t seem to find a remedy. They are swollen and red, slightly chapped, but not blistered.

Her family doctor has prescribed long-term Valtrex and lip ointments for herpes but they have had no effect. She was also given Lotramin ointment without success. We have asked her about medication changes, toothpaste changes, etc. but we can’t seem to find her any relief.

She has a dermatologist appointment in the coming weeks but we thought you might have an idea for relief a bit sooner. Thank you for any ideas you might offer.
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Clear nail polish to the rescue — again!

May 6, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: First, I want to say that I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time. Then I want to tell you it makes me furious to have everyone assume that a person who has herpes has been promiscuous.

I, too, have herpes outbreaks at a spot on my buttocks, and there is no doubt in my mind where I got it — at the hospital. Having been monogamous for at least 12 years at the time, I had to have emergency surgery, and the herpes popped up within a week of discharge. The outbreak was exactly where I got all my pain shots. The location migrates just a bit every time it crops up, but it’s never been anywhere close to my genital area, thank heavens. A friend of mine also says she got herpes in the same hospital, years earlier. We’ve been friends for 30 years, and I just found that out last year. Her outbreaks are on her inner thigh, much closer to her knee than to her genitals.
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Cold-sore remedies abound

April 30, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have noticed that a lot of people write to you about cold sores. Valtrex works to totally inhibit them. I have suffered from cold sores since the age of 4. When I was in my early 30s, the virus got out of hand and I was getting cold sores on a monthly basis. My dermatologist suggested I try 500 milligrams of Valtrex daily, and my cold sores completely stopped. I’ve had two cold sores in the 15 years since, both times after stopping the medication for about two to three weeks to see if I still needed it. My mother and brother also use Valtrex but on an “as needed” basis. They take it when they feel the tingling that comes before the sore. They take two 500-milligram tablets when they feel that tingle and then one 500-milligram tablet once a day for a week after that. Please tell your readers about this remedy.
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Genital herpes information

February 24, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 60-year-old friend seems to suffer from frequent herpes-simplex-virus outbreaks on her buttock. She uses hydrogen peroxide and covers the sore with a bandage. Is she supposed to cover the area? Is there a medication she can apply to shorten the duration and repetition of bouts? Is there any food she should avoid to prevent attacks? Please illuminate me on this problem.

DEAR READER: Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that includes sores, pain and itching of the buttocks, inner thighs and around the genital area. It results from a type of herpes simplex virus that enters the body through small breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. The virus is spread primarily through unprotected sexual contact. Illness, stress, fatigue, friction and more can induce outbreaks.
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Cold sores send reader into hiding

June 15, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I seem to suffer from frequent cold sores and am constantly covering my mouth to hide the unsightly lesions. I have spent a great deal of money on remedies but recently saw a product called Lip Clear Lysine + at my local pharmacy. I don’t know if it’s any better than what I have tried so far and would like your opinion. Can you get me on the right track?

DEAR READER: Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and most commonly affect the lips. Less commonly, they can occur on the chin, fingers or in the nostrils, and rarely, they may present in the mouth. These fluid-filled blisters are painful, itchy and contagious, lasting about two weeks. The virus can be spread by sharing the same glass or silverware, kissing, touching and more. [Read more…]

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Daily Column

July 2, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 18-year-old daughter has suffered with mouth ulcers for years. She has seen two ear-nose-and-throat specialists and a dermatologist with no results. One of the specialists diagnosed her with acid reflux despite her lack of symptoms. She has had a biopsy but it was normal. Her primary care physician suggested taking lysine and B vitamins and changing her brand of toothpaste but none made a difference. After reading some old home remedies in the library we found that swishing sauerkraut juice helped but only for a short time. We are both at our wits’ ends looking for a treatment or preventive therapy. She usually has an outbreak every month that consists of four to 10 ulcers at a time. Please help!

DEAR READER:
Let’s start with the acid reflux. If your daughter truly has acid reflux, she should be under the care of a gastroenterologist to determine if it caused by [Read more…]

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