The libraryDefense
Stop Your Cold Sores
Cold sores
Also called Oral herpes (HSV-1), Fever blisters, Oral herpes, Lip blister
Who it's forA man aged 18 to 45 who keeps getting cold sores.
When to see a doctor
- Call 911 or go to the ER now: a red eye that hurts to look at light, is very dark red, or has one pupil bigger than the other.
- Call 911 now: swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or struggling to breathe, after a cream or tablet.
- Call 911 or go to the ER now: a rash spreading across the body, or blistering, peeling skin or a sore mouth and eyes, after starting a new medicine.
- Urgent care or your doctor today: eye pain, a red eye getting worse, blurred vision, or a swollen eyelid. Contact a doctor today for sores near the eyes.
- Urgent care or your doctor today: eczema that is blistered, crusty or leaking, with feeling unwell. It can be eczema herpeticum.
- Your doctor: a weakened immune system, from illness or medicines, with any cold sore.
- Your doctor: swollen, painful gums with sores inside the mouth.
- Your doctor: a sore not starting to heal within 10 days, very large or painful, one lasting over 2 weeks, or 6 or more a year.
I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. This is self-education. Every dose on this page is the one a trial or a label used, quoted from it. It is not a prescription. Talk to a physician who has your history before any medicine or procedure. A sore near the eye, or a weakened immune system: see a doctor first.