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A cold sore (herpes labialis) is the most common form of herpes.
It is caused by a highly contagious virus called herpes simplex (HSV).
The skin affected by a cold sore is tight, irritated and itchy. Small, often painful, inflamed blisters with pus appear on the lip, followed by scabbing. They are usually outside the mouth or on the lips or surrounding area. If they are inside the mouth, they are usually in the gums or on the palate.
They usually go away on their own within a few weeks. Antiviral medicines may help it to heal more quickly. Treatment is usually with creams.
- Robyn S Klein, MD, PhD. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. Uptodate. Nov 09, 2016.
- Robyn S Klein, MD, PhD. Treatment of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in immunocompetent patients. Uptodate. Sep 25, 2015.
- Workowski KA, Bolan GA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. MMWR Recomm Rep 2015; 64:1.
- Gilbert SC. Management and prevention of recurrent herpes labialis in immunocompetent patients. Herpes 2007; 14:56.
- PG, Porter SR. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 infection: overview on relevant clinico-pathological features. J Oral Pathol Med 2008; 37:107.
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