How long cold 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. 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.

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. Cold sores are caused by certain strains of the herpes simplex virus HSV. HSV -1 usually causes cold sores. HSV -2 is usually responsible for genital herpes.

But either type can spread to the face or genitals through close contact, such as kissing or oral sex. Shared eating utensils, razors and towels might also spread HSV Cold sores are most contagious when you have oozing blisters because the virus easily spreads through contact with infected body fluids. But you can spread the virus even if you don't have blisters. Many people who are infected with the virus that causes cold sores never develop signs and symptoms.

Once you've had an episode of herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells in your skin and may emerge as another cold sore at the same place as before.

Recurrence may be triggered by:. Cold sores on the lips can be embarrassing and tough to hide. Cold Sore Stage 3: Rupture On day 4 or 5 of an outbreak, the blisters can burst open and may be very painful. At this point, the exposed and ulcerated sores will begin to scab over as the body enters the healing process. Cold Sore Stage 4: Scabbing Around days of an outbreak scabs form. These are often itchy, may crack open, and can bleed.

It means you're nearing the end of the flare-up, so don't pick at them. Cold sores usually form on or around the lips. An untreated cold sore usually lasts days, but can remain for up to two weeks. It typically progresses through five distinct stages.

Learn more about cold sores. Find out more about herpes. This is when you'll feel those first few symptoms, which typically only last for several hours. Your skin could feel like it's tight and itchy, or you may experience a burning or tingling sensation.

This is a sign that the HSV-1 virus is reactivating. This is when you first see the blister developing. The affected area becomes red and swollen and eventually fluid-filled blisters develop containing millions of virus particles. The surrounding skin may become red and swollen. Inside: You might actually be experiencing a mouth ulcer.

They can be found anywhere inside the mouth. Uncommonly, cold sores can occur inside the mouth. The surrounding skin may become red and swollen. Inside: You might actually be experiencing a canker sore. These tend to appear as a sore, or tender white or yellow patch. They can be found under the tongue, inside the cheeks or lips, or on the gums or roof of the mouth. Outside: It is very likely this is a cold sore. Cluster: If you have a cluster of small, softer blisters filled with clear fluid, it is more likely to be a cold sore.

Cold sores are generally clear, as they are full of fluid. This can be the most painful stage as the blisters burst and a shallow ulcer open sore develops. You may also see a red ring of inflammation around the affected area. TIPS This stage can be very painful. Large spot: The redness is not centered around a specific spot.

Intense dryness can extend beyond the lip with irritation, pain and possibly splitting or bleeding. If this is the case, you probably have chapped lips.