Cold sores are an extremely common condition of the mouth. Also known as
fever blisters (and known medically as herpes labialis), cold sores are the result of being infected with a herpes simplex virus.
Despite its two common names (cold sore and fever blister), you do not need a cold or fever to get a cold sore.
(Click Cold Sore Causes to learn more about the different types of herpes simplex viruses and how they can cause cold sores.)
Cold Sores Versus Canker Sores
Many times, cold sores can be confused with another common mouth condition known as canker sores. Both can cause small sores in or around the mouth. Canker sores, however, occur only inside the mouth -- on the tongue and the inside linings of the cheeks, lips, and throat.
Cold sores, on the other hand, usually occur outside the mouth -- on the lips, chin, cheeks, or in the nostrils. When cold sores do occur inside the mouth, it is usually on the gums or the roof of the mouth. Inside the mouth, cold sores are smaller than canker sores, heal more quickly, and often begin as a blister.
Cold Sore Transmission and Symptoms
A cold sore is spread through direct contact with the cold sore or indirect contact through sharing items such as towels, toothbrush, razor, drinks, or utensils
(see Transmission of Cold Sores).
When the cold sore virus is first transmitted, symptoms do not typically appear. In fact, up to 85 percent of people will not have symptoms with the first infection. However, the body is not able to completely get rid of the herpes virus. Therefore, at some point in the future, the herpes virus can become active again
(see Cold Sore Triggers) and cause symptoms.
Cold sore symptoms can vary. Some people may have early symptoms one to three days before
fever blisters. They may feel pain, itching, tingling, or a burning sensation.
Others may just develop blisters. These can be small, sometimes painful, fluid-filled blisters around the lips or corner of the mouth. Over several days, the blisters tend to merge and then collapse. A yellowish crust often forms over the sores, which usually heal without scarring within two weeks.
There is no
cold sore cure; however, a cold sore will get better on its own, even without treatment. For someone who gets frequent cold sores, healthcare providers can prescribe one of several medications approved for the treatment of cold sores. Some medicines are also available without a prescription. All of these cold sore medicines work best if used at the first signs of a cold sore (symptoms may include tingling, itching, burning, or redness).
Because cold sores are so common, they can be hard to prevent. However, there are some things that you can do to decrease the chances of getting a cold sore. If you have cold sores, there are also some things that you can do to decrease the chances of spreading them.
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