Cold sores, often called fever blisters, are clustered, small, fluid-filled blisters. You may feel a tingling on your lip before a small, hard, painful spot appears (top). In a day or two, blisters form, which later break and ooze (bottom). Healing usually occurs in two to three weeks without scarring. Show
Cold sores — also called fever blisters — are a common viral infection. They are tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips. These blisters are often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a scab forms that can last several days. Cold sores usually heal in two to three weeks without leaving a scar. Cold sores spread from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. They're usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and less commonly herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both of these viruses can affect your mouth or genitals and can be spread by oral sex. Cold sores are contagious even if you don't see the sores. There's no cure for cold sores, but treatment can help manage outbreaks. Prescription antiviral pills or creams can help sores heal more quickly. And they may reduce the frequency, length and severity of future outbreaks. Products & Services
SymptomsA cold sore usually passes through several stages:
Signs and symptoms vary, depending on whether this is your first outbreak or a recurrence. The first time you have a cold sore, symptoms may not start for up to 20 days after you were first exposed to the virus. The sores can last several days, and the blisters can take two to three weeks to heal completely. Recurrences typically appear at the same spot each time and tend to be less severe than the first outbreak. In a first-time outbreak, you also might experience:
Children under 5 years old may have cold sores inside their mouths and the lesions are commonly mistaken for canker sores. Canker sores involve only the mucous membrane and aren't caused by the herpes simplex virus. When to see a doctorCold sores generally clear up without treatment. See your doctor if:
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inboxSign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Cold sores are as commonplace as they are irritating -- but often, what we assume is a cold sore might not be one. If you've ever had cold sores that didn't respond to medication designed to treat them, it might be angular cheilitis, a completely different medical condition that looks surprisingly similar. The good news: It's usually easy to treat, as long as you have the right diagnosis. Here's an overview of what you need to know and what signs to look for to help you tell the difference. How Are Angular Cheilitis and Cold Sores Similar?Some people believe that any inflamed spot in the corner of their mouth must be a cold sore, but that isn't always the case. Cheilitis can also be very painful, and just like cold sores, it can form in the corners of your mouth. It may affect one or both sides of your mouth, and it can take two to three weeks or longer to heal, depending on the treatment. How Are Angular Cheilitis and Cold Sores Different?Angular cheilitis may mimic cold sores, but there are specific signs you can look for to tell them apart. Cold sores typically begin as an itchy or painful area that turns into one or a group of small, painful blisters. Over time, they may weep, scab over, and finally heal. Angular cheilitis, on the other hand, begins as a patch of dry, irritated or cracked skin at one or both corners of the mouth. If it's not treated early, it can progress into swollen, painful sores that may bleed when you open your mouth. What Are the Causes of Angular Cheilitis?The cause of cold sores is simple: a herpes simplex virus. Treatments are fairly simple, too -- either an ointment or antiviral drugs. Angular cheilitis, however, isn't quite so simple. In fact, there are a number of causes that can lead to the same symptoms. These include a yeast infection, the Staphylococcus bacteria, poor-fitting dentures, drooling while you sleep, antibiotics, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, and deficiencies in iron or vitamins. Even licking your lips too much when they're chapped can lead to the condition. Do You Need to See a Doctor for Angular Cheilitis?The treatment for cheilitis depends on the cause. Less severe cases may heal up if you apply petroleum jelly or a thick lip balm to the area. If that doesn't work, you may need to see a doctor, who might take a swab to better identify the cause. You might be given a different type of topical treatment, a hydrocortisone cream, or an anti-fungal ointment or medication. If the cause is a nutritional deficiency, you may need to take iron-replacement pills or specific vitamins. Allergy medication may be needed if there's a contact allergen at work. If you develop sores in the corner of your mouth, don't worry. Angular cheilitis can typically be treated fairly easily. However, don't be surprised if it returns -- recurrence rates can be as high as 80 percent. Talk to your doctor about what preventative measures you can take to prevent the condition from coming back. Why do I have tiny blisters on my lips?Cold sores — also called fever blisters — are a common viral infection. They are tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips. These blisters are often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a scab forms that can last several days.
What can be mistaken for a cold sore on lip?Sores from angular cheilitis are less common than cold sores, but they often look similar. Angular cheilitis causes inflammation, redness, and irritation at the corners of the mouth. While cold sores are caused by a virus, angular cheilitis can be caused by a number of different things, including fungal infection.
Why do I have a bump on my lip not a cold sore?The White Bump on Your Lip Could Be a Canker Sore
If the bump on your lip is inside your mouth and comes with a burning or tingling sensation, then it may be a canker sore. A canker sore, also known as an aphthous ulcer, is a small lesion that can develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums.
How do I get rid of little blisters on my lips?How to use: Apply a cream, ointment, or lip balm containing lemon balm to the affected area several times per day. You may also put diluted essential oil on a cotton ball and hold it on the sores for a few minutes. Frequency of use: Continue using lemon balm for a few days after your sores heal.
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Small blisters on lips not cold sore
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