Herpes labialis manifesting as recurrent erythema multiforme and solitary ulcer on face

Abstract

A 65-year-old lady presented with recurrent crusting of lips and ulceration on face since the last three weeks. History revealed recurrent herpes labialis during the previous three years. Examination showed hemorrhagic crusting of lips and a solitary crusted ulcer on the right cheek. The patient showed partial improvement with antiviral therapy. On withdrawal of initial therapy, the patient developed classical lesions of herpes labialis and erythema multiforme. Investigations confirmed herpes simplex infection and erythema multiforme. All the lesions including the ulcer on the face responded to maintenance therapy with antivirals. Though herpes infection has been found to cause ulcers especially in the peri-anal region in immunosuppressed individuals, it is the first time in literature that a facial ulcer has been ascribed to herpes simplex virus that too in an immunocompetent individual.