Hi there; I've browsed through messages on the site but haven't really found a previous query that matches my own - so here goes! Any advice would be appreciated; I realise of course that it doesn't constitute a diagnosis.

I've had a reddish sore (around 1cm) on my hard palate (just off the midline closer to the front teeth) that is sensitive for around a year. Painful wouldn't be the word, just sensitive. Sometimes it dies down, at others it sparks up, always to the same level of mildness. The sore isn't red throughout, it has the 'usual' white lines running through it.

I don't smoke (never have) nor especially drink; I'm 34 years old. I visited a dentist for my annual checkup and asked for advice. I was told it was nothing to be concerned about, just a persistent cold sore. True, I am prone to cold sores but only on the outer lip! I wasn't even aware you could get these inside the mouth and on the hard palate; and its lengthy duration puzzled me.

At any rate has anyone else heard of anything akin to this? I am considering following this up with a visit to an MD next week...

Many thanks
Mike