Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCold Sores (Oral Herpes)Pimples (Acne)Treating Cold SoresTreating Pimples
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cold Sores (Oral Herpes)
Pimples (Acne)
Treating Cold Sores
Treating Pimples
In some ways, the features of a cold sore vs. a pimple on the lip line are very similar—so much so that you may easily mistake one for the other, especially in a cold sore’s early stages.
Knowing the unique characteristics of the two can help you differentiate these lookalikes. For example,pimplesnear the liponlyoccur on the lip line, whilecold sores can appear anywhere on or around the lip.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
How to Identify a Cold Sore
A pimple on the lipline might be the start of a cold sore. The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores (also known as oral herpes), most commonlyherpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).It is a widespread virus, affecting over 65% of the world’s population, although it doesn’t always cause breakouts.
Once you have HSV-1, the virus does not go away and can reactivate at any moment, causing a localized outbreak of blisters and sores.
There are several ways to tell if the bump on your face is a cold sore:
What are the different stages of a cold sore?A cold sore typically presents in the followingstages:Tingling and itching (in the area where the cold sore will appear)BlistersOozing and crusting
What are the different stages of a cold sore?
A cold sore typically presents in the followingstages:Tingling and itching (in the area where the cold sore will appear)BlistersOozing and crusting
A cold sore typically presents in the followingstages:
There is often no rhyme or reason as to why a cold sore appears. They typically occur when your immune system is low, such as when you are run down or fighting an infection. Extreme stress or sudden changes in temperature or humidity can also trigger an outbreak.
How Herpes Is SpreadHerpes is contagious. HSV-1 can be spread through oral-oral contact like kissing and sharing drinks. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2 ) is more commonly associated with genital herpes but can also spread to the face.
How Herpes Is Spread
Herpes is contagious. HSV-1 can be spread through oral-oral contact like kissing and sharing drinks. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2 ) is more commonly associated with genital herpes but can also spread to the face.
How to Identify a Pimple
What looks like a pimple on the lipline can be just that.Pimplesdevelop when aporebecomes blocked with dead skin cells and body oils. The blockage causesbacteriafound commonly on the skin to multiply, leading to the formation of a raised, red,pus-filled blemish.
You might feel a pimple before you see it. Quite often, though, pimples will appear spontaneously without any warning.
There are several ways to tell if the bump on your face is a pimple:
Unlike cold sores,pimples are not contagious. So you can hug, kiss, and share lip balm with someone who has a pimple and never get one yourself.
Can form directly on the lip
Forms a cluster of fluid-filled blisters that can merge into a larger blister
Cause the formation of an open, oozing ulcer when it breaks open
Is contagious
Never forms directly on the lip but can appear on the border
Forms a raised, red bump, often with a whitehead
Can cause an infected sore if it breaks open but not an ulcer
Is not contagious
How to Treat a Cold Sore
Treating a cold sore requires patience. It will heal over time, but while you’re waiting for that to happen, it’s important to ensure the virus doesn’t continue to spread. So here are some tips for coping with a cold sore:
How to Treat and Prevent Pimples on the Lip Line
A pimple on the lip line can’t always be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to care for your skin that will help.
Since pimples aren’t contagious, you can’t spread them to other people or other areas of your body. Take heart in knowing that the zit should starthealingwithin a day to a week. Here are some tips for coping with pimples:
If you’re not exactly sure what is happening on your skin, or a lesion isn’t healing or is getting worse, see your healthcare provider. They can order tests, if needed, to diagnose the underlying cause and ensure you get the correct treatment.
Summary
A pimple on the lip line might be just that—an acne spot. However, what looks like a pimple on the lip line can also be the start of a cold sore. Knowing how to tell a lip line pimple from a cold sore is important.
Cold sores are contagious and cause clusters of tiny blisters, usually on and around the lip. Pimples are not contagious and cause raised, red bumps that can also appear around the lips but not directly on the lip itself.
Antiviral medication and moisture may help speed the healing process for cold sores. Spot treatments, daily medication, and ice may benefit pimples.
5 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.World Health Orgnanization.Herpes simplex virus.Crimi S, Fiorillo L, Bianchi A, et al.Herpes virus, oral clinical signs and QoL: Systematic review of recent data.Viruses. 2019;11(5):463. doi:10.3390/v11050463America Academy of Dermatology.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Additional ReadingRamdass P, Mullick S, Farber HF.Viral Skin Diseases.Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2015 Dec;42(4):517-67. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.006
5 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.World Health Orgnanization.Herpes simplex virus.Crimi S, Fiorillo L, Bianchi A, et al.Herpes virus, oral clinical signs and QoL: Systematic review of recent data.Viruses. 2019;11(5):463. doi:10.3390/v11050463America Academy of Dermatology.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.Additional ReadingRamdass P, Mullick S, Farber HF.Viral Skin Diseases.Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2015 Dec;42(4):517-67. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.006
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.
World Health Orgnanization.Herpes simplex virus.Crimi S, Fiorillo L, Bianchi A, et al.Herpes virus, oral clinical signs and QoL: Systematic review of recent data.Viruses. 2019;11(5):463. doi:10.3390/v11050463America Academy of Dermatology.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.
World Health Orgnanization.Herpes simplex virus.
Crimi S, Fiorillo L, Bianchi A, et al.Herpes virus, oral clinical signs and QoL: Systematic review of recent data.Viruses. 2019;11(5):463. doi:10.3390/v11050463
America Academy of Dermatology.Cold sores: Signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology.Herpes simplex.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Acne.
Ramdass P, Mullick S, Farber HF.Viral Skin Diseases.Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2015 Dec;42(4):517-67. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2015.08.006
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