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Cold sores

We all hate ‘cold sores’, because they are so ugly and noticeable. Cold sores start as tiny blisters on or near the lips. A cold sore is usually gone within a week or two, but is really upsetting while it lasts.

How do you know if you have a cold sore?

  • The first sign is a burning, tingling or itching feeling in the skin where the cold sore will erupt. If you have had a cold sore before, you will recognize this feeling as soon as it starts.
  • The tingling lasts for about 6 hours. Then you will notice a group of tiny blisters (usually 3–5) with some reddish swelling of the skin around them.
  • After a day or two, the blisters become an open sore. This is the start of the ugly stage.
  • Within a further day or two, a scabby crust forms over the sore.
  • The sore gradually heals, and is gone about 7–10 days after it started.

Written by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Edited by: Dr Margaret Stearn
Last updated: Friday, February 12th 2010

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Comments on this article

Posted by Geri on 09/03/2010 at 03:12:10 pm

I get cold sores at least 6 times a year and am sick of it i dont know how i am getting them so often or how to get rid of them

Posted by georgia on 08/03/2010 at 08:53:04 am

great help.. cause i totally dont know when im getting a coldsore:S.

Posted by Optional on 02/03/2010 at 06:39:40 am

I went down on my girl for the 1st time and it was nice and everything but after a month i started seeing the sides of my lips crack. it's never happened to me before but i didn't really have an outbreak but it was itching and it felt weird. Did my girl give me herpes? how will i know? please help

Posted by Anonymous on 02/02/2010 at 11:38:00 am

i have a problem similar to this but it all happens on my vaginal lips ( outer skin) PLEASE HELP ME

Posted by Lindy on 26/11/2009 at 10:51:00 pm

I just found something that works great. DMSO applied to the sores seals them and starts the healing. It has been 5 days and nothing was working even the expensive meds from Wal-mart.

Posted by Star on 20/03/2009 at 04:53:00 pm

I have a cold sore. Will I die?

Posted by stv on 10/02/2009 at 11:01:00 am

Success!! Just managed to stop a coldsore in its tracks even when starting treatment after the blisters appeared.. the blisters have now receeded. Buy some chelated zinc, L-Lysine and herbal remedy 'Rhus Tox 30C' by Nelsons (in a green tube thing). All of these are available in Holland&Barratt. Take about 3000mg of Lysine on the first day of occurrence then 1000mg on the following days. Follow the instructions on the bottles for the other dosages. Hope it works for others as well as it has for me

Posted by janeee on 19/01/2009 at 09:11:00 pm

i really hate coldsore, once i get one i think yay its gone for another month or two, but then straight away it comes back! i

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