You don't seem to be using a pseudo-element at the moment. Try this setting .help-tip to .help-tip::after and giving is content: "" and display: inline-block:
.help-tip::after {
content: "";
display: inline-block;
cursor: pointer;
width: 10px;
height: 10px;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-image: url("/assets/small-help-icon.gif");
}