Cold sore next to lip

Cold sores commonly appear on the lip border or nearby facial skin, often after tingling or burning. The blisters can break, crust, and heal, and the virus can spread through contact with saliva or the sore.

Wash hands after touching the area, avoid kissing and oral sex while the sore is present, and do not share lip products, utensils, or towels. Use a plain protective balm and ask a clinician about an antiviral medicine when tingling begins.

Seek care if the sore is near the eye, unusually extensive, very painful, recurrent, slow to heal, or accompanied by fever or difficulty eating. Urgent assessment is needed for eye pain or vision changes.

Ask whether the lesion looks like a cold sore or another skin condition. Ask when antiviral treatment is useful, how to protect household contacts, and whether mouth sores or eye symptoms change the plan.