Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewTreatmentWhen to Be ConcernedPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Treatment
When to Be Concerned
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you are infected with HSV-1, the first time it makes you sick can be very different from the cold sores you experience after that. During first time infections, people may experience:
After the first infection, you may experience tingling or itching around the area a day or two before a cold sore appears. Then, the small blisters that are filled with fluid form somewhere around the edge of your lips. They may also appear around the nose or cheeks.
The blister will then burst and ooze fluid until they crust over after a few days. The scabbed area should disappear within two weeks.
Most cold sores do not requiretreatment. They will go away on their own within two weeks. If they do not, they occur very frequently or they appear in multiple places on the body, you should contact your healthcare provider.
There are over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that may help with your symptoms. These include Abreva (docosanol), OTC remedies that contain a drying agent, and ice or cold compresses to relieve pain.
If your healthcare provider decides that your symptoms are severe enough that you need prescription treatment, there are several antiviral medications they may prescribe. These include:
These may be available as a cream or pill, although the pills are generally more effective. If the infection is widespread and severe, it may require IV treatment and hospitalization.
Alternative therapies may be used to try to treat cold sores as well. Although the efficacy of these treatments is unclear, there is some evidence thatlemon balm(lip balm containing 1% lemon extract) may help shorten healing time and prevent a recurrence.Lysinehas also been used as a supplement to help with cold sores.
If your cold sore does not go away within two weeks, you should contact your healthcare provider. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for complications from cold sores than others.
Other things to watch for and seek medical treatment for include:
Be careful about touching other parts of your body when blisters are present as the virus can spread. This can be very dangerous, especially if it gets into the eyes.
Wash your handsfrequently. If you have a cold sore, be sure to wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the virus to other people.
If you get cold sores a lot, talk to your healthcare provider to see if taking an antiviral medication on a regular basis may help you.
Cold sore and fever blister are two different terms for the same ailment: a herpes simplex virus 1 blister on or around the lips. The virus attacks the cells around the mouth, causing a red and inflamed sore.Learn MoreIs It a Cold Sore or Pimple?
Cold sore and fever blister are two different terms for the same ailment: a herpes simplex virus 1 blister on or around the lips. The virus attacks the cells around the mouth, causing a red and inflamed sore.
Learn MoreIs It a Cold Sore or Pimple?
A pimple near the mouth can be confused with a cold sore, but there are a few differences. If it is on your lip, it is a cold sore. You cannot get a pimple on your lip. A pimple forms a red bump, but not a blister. A cold sore is a cluster of tiny blisters. Pimples can hurt, whereas cold sores tingle and burn. A pimple will clear up after a few days, but a cold sore will crust over.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: A review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.Cunningham A, Griffiths P, Leone P, et al.Current management and recommendations for access to antiviral therapy of herpes labialis.J Clin Virol. 2012;53(1):6-11. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.08.003Additional ReadingCold Sores. MedlinePlus 18 Sep 13. US National Library of Medicine. Department of Health and Human Services. 24 Oct 13.Cold Sore. Diseases and Conditions 23 May 13. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 24 Oct 13.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: A review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.Cunningham A, Griffiths P, Leone P, et al.Current management and recommendations for access to antiviral therapy of herpes labialis.J Clin Virol. 2012;53(1):6-11. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.08.003Additional ReadingCold Sores. MedlinePlus 18 Sep 13. US National Library of Medicine. Department of Health and Human Services. 24 Oct 13.Cold Sore. Diseases and Conditions 23 May 13. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 24 Oct 13.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: A review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.Cunningham A, Griffiths P, Leone P, et al.Current management and recommendations for access to antiviral therapy of herpes labialis.J Clin Virol. 2012;53(1):6-11. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.08.003
Chi CC, Wang SH, Delamere FM, Wojnarowska F, Peters MC, Kanjirath PP.Interventions for prevention of herpes simplex labialis (cold sores on the lips).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(8):CD010095. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010095.pub2
Mailoo VJ, Rampes S.Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: A review of the evidence.Integr Med (Encinitas).2017;16(3):42-46.
Cunningham A, Griffiths P, Leone P, et al.Current management and recommendations for access to antiviral therapy of herpes labialis.J Clin Virol. 2012;53(1):6-11. doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.08.003
Cold Sores. MedlinePlus 18 Sep 13. US National Library of Medicine. Department of Health and Human Services. 24 Oct 13.Cold Sore. Diseases and Conditions 23 May 13. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 24 Oct 13.
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