​Cold Sores

Cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are a common form of viral infection. These usually appear (often as a group) as small, fluid-filled blisters around your mouth (usually around the edges of your lower lip) or on your lips. The skin around your blister can be red, tender, and quite sore. Once the blister breaks, they will leak a clear fluid, and a scab will form over the subsequent sore. Cold sores usually heal without any scar within two to four weeks.

Cold sores are contagious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person, even when the sores are not visible. They are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), although herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which commonly causes genital herpes, can also cause cold sores.

Cold sores can affect the mouth and, in some cases, the genital area. Genital herpes caused by HSV-2 is commonly spread through sexual contact.

There is currently no cure for the virus that causes cold sores. The blisters usually heal and the virus remains dormant in the body, but cold sores may reappear later, often triggered by factors such as fatigue, stress, illness or injury to the affected area.

The highly trained team at the Section of Dermatology at The Aga Khan University Hospital provides expert advice and treatment to help cold sores heal faster, manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of recurrent outbreaks.

When to seek expert advise

Cold sores typically heal on their own without treatment with a few weeks. However you should seek the advice of a doctor about cold sores if:

• You have a weakened immune system

• Your cold sores have not healed within a few weeks (around two weeks)

• The symptoms are severe, and you are experiencing great pain and discomfort

• You experience cold sores frequently

• Your eyes feel irritated

In severe or recurrent cases of cold sores, you should visit a specialist to help alleviate the symptoms.