Herpes lip

Cold sores usually affect the border of the lip or nearby skin rather than the deeper mouth lining. The virus remains in nerve tissue after the first infection and may reactivate with triggers such as illness, sun exposure, stress, or local irritation.

Keep the area clean, avoid picking the crust, wash hands after touching it, and avoid kissing or sharing lip products while a blister or open sore is present. Early medical advice may allow an antiviral treatment to be considered.

Seek assessment for a first or unusually severe episode, eye symptoms, spreading lesions, frequent recurrences, or symptoms in someone with reduced immune function. Eye pain or a lesion near the eye needs prompt medical attention.

Ask whether the lesion fits herpes simplex or another condition, whether antiviral treatment is suitable, and how to reduce spread during future episodes. Mention medicines and immune conditions.