[Question #3350] White bumps in corner of lip, weird feeling in cheek - oral HSV2?

36 months ago

I have genital HSV2. Girlfriend has genital HSV2. on 10/1/17 we performed oral on each other. A couple of days later I didn't feel well and the right corner of my mouth felt weird. Got a small, nick in the corner of my mouth...never hurt like my genital outbreaks...went away after a few days. Went to urgent care halfway through and doc didn't think it was anything.

Here's what's been going on constantly since 10/1:

Twitching in upper lip sometimes

Small painless white spots in corner of mouth (upper right lip) along the line where the darker skin meets the pink skin inside the mouth (have to stretch lip to see them). Can feel with tongue

Very slight twinges of pain in same area

Feels like thin, cool line from corner of mouth going into cheek

Corner of mouth feels wet sometimes

Rubbing cheek relieves feeling temporarily. Sensations have slowly been getting better over time but still there and annoying

Family doc didn't say anything

Dermatologist thinks the white spots may be Fordyce spots

Googled but can't find anything like what I have (oral HSV2 pics are more graphic)

Is this HSV2 oral?

Are the symptoms slight because I already have genital HSV2?

Why have sensations been constant for over 4 months?

Will sensations ever go away?

Why is this milder than my genital outbreaks?

Where are the white painless bumps on lip?

Am I constantly contagious now?

Should I avoid kissing anyone?

Am I spreading it to my hands when I rub my mouth/jaw?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

36 months ago

So it would be very unusual for someone to have genital HSV 2 and then get the same type orally. Very. I think it's a good thing that the doc who saw you did not think this was hepres, for sure. I suppose if you get it again at some point you could have it swab tested to be certain but I would be surprised if this was HSV 2, for sure!

Terri
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36 months ago

Thank you Terri for your prompt reply. I too have heard that it is very difficult to get HSV2 orally.

A follow-up question:

I have light colored bumps on my upper lip near the right corner of my mouth. They're right where the dark skin turns pink. They're more visible when I stretch my lip. They are painless. They have not changed since I noticed them several months ago. I don't know if they've always been there or not.

I've also experienced a cool tingling sensation in my right cheek and chin. This feeling has been gradually decreasing over time. Sometimes the feeling goes away entirely (like right now). Other times I find myself rubbing my cheek over and over again.

Does this sound like anything that I may be at risk of spreading to someone else? I really don't want to put anyone at risk.

Thanks

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

36 months ago

Those bumps are totally normally and if looking closely, everyone has them. They are not related to herpes. The cool tingling is very unlikely to have any relationship to herpes - as I said, getting it orally once you have it genitally would be highly unusual.

Terri
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35 months ago

Hi Terri,

Thank you for your answers. I feel better entering a new relationship knowing I won't put anyone at risk.

I went to my family doctor about the tingling in my cheek and he is unsure of what it could be since I have no other presenting symptoms. He told me to monitor it and let him know if it gets worse. Can you speculate as to what this might be? Fortunately it's mild and not painful, but I feel it every single day...it feels like I dabbed some Vicks on the corner of my mouth.

Thanks

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

35 months ago

I suppose tingling in the cheek could be many things - something dental comes to mind right away, something nerve related likely but if it is in the corner of the mouth it could be something called angular chelitis - usually fungal in nature. I think a dentist might be another person with whom you might consult on this issue but I honestly don't think this is new HSV 2 oral infection.

Terri
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