Does this sound like a cold sore ?

[catfunk]

This started happening about a year ago. One corner of my mouth, the top corner goes through a cycle of getting itchy and swollen for a day or 2, then sometimes the odd tiny blister appears but the main issue is the lip cracks in the corner and a big patch of dry skin appears around the area. So the issue starts on my actual lip but spreads out to my face.
I have to constantly put cream on it to stop it from looking crusty or flaking. Eventually it goes away after a few weeks then it does it again.
Doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor-reason to it - cycle/ stress/ foods/ skin care.
There's not a single wound like a cold sore (I've never had a cold sore before nor has DP!

Hopefully bumping

Yes but some cold sore plasters they’re invisible when on and it disappears in a day.

mine related to being gluten sensitive (not celiac) and they stopped when I stopped eating gluten

Sounds like a condition called angular chelitis. Often gets infected, main treatment is keeping skin dry. Suggest contact GP.

Sounds like a cold sore to me (I get the dry skin and cracks all around mine).

Be aware that cold sore plasters can make the dry skin worse (they make the problem worse for me and don't reduce the time my cold sores last or the size they get to, although I know others swear by them).

Zovirax applied at the itchy, tingly stage is the most effective thing for me, but others don't find it works. If you're getting them that frequently, though, then I'd probably ask your GP whether aciclovir tablets would be an option.

Sorry, I misread and thought you said after a few weeks it comes back, not it takes a few weeks to go away. I'd be surprised if it was a cold sore lasting that long, although sounds like them otherwise. Teach me to read more carefully before replying!

Thanks all - those who saying sounds like a cold sore, is that the case where there isn't a big central blister?
It's literally just a couple of cracks and a dry patch on the surrounding skin atm.

I've massively cut down on gluten/ processed foods lately but maybe need to try stopping altogether.
Can you just develop a sensitivity aged almost 40 though? 😩

It sounds more like angular chelitis than a cold sore.

However, I've had both at the same time as I get cold sores when my immune system is low (or when its sunny, or when on my period or when I'm stressed).

I'll look into angular chelitis- thank you.
It's not exactly in the corner/ crease, more halfway between the corner and top of my bow.
Of course I should ask my GP but it's impossible to get an appointment at the moment

You could always speak to a pharmacist. They may be able to help.

Doesn’t sound like a cold sore to me.

Cold sore for me is a tell tale tingling, a sore bump pops up, this bump gets a bit sorer then scabs over, after what seems like an eternity but is generally a few more days, the scab drops off and you are all healed. I would say from tingling to scab dropping off is about a week.

@Wolfiefan pharmacist is such a good shout. Thank you

Good luck. Hope they can help.

after 30 when I had my first baby I became slightly gluten sensitive. Strangely I failed celiac tests though. I only had a bit of indigestion post cake/bread/pasta and I didn’t think much of it. I was also getting monthly coldsores and angular chelitis but hadn’t linked them to gluten.

one holiday a few years later I gave up being low gluten and ate bread, cakes, pizza, pasta. Threw caution to the wind and by the time I caught my flight home I had developed painful Necrotising Ulcerative gingivitis. The dentist linked up all the dots for me … being gluten sensitive … blood tests as gluten effects absorption of vitamins (anaemia) … antibiotics to help calm necrotising ulcerative gingivitis .. coldsores and angular chelitis .. also sore roof of my mouth like it had been scalded ..

since going completely gluten free 8 years ago I’ve only had two, coldsores, both when run down.