Cold sores

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Cold sores?

It is also called fever blisters. Let's take a look.
Pharmacist

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A typical cold sore goes through 5 stages from when it is formed to going away in about 1 to 2 weeks. The stages include:

  1. Tingling or Prodrome stage
  2. Blistering stage
  3. Weeping or oozing stage
  4. Scabbing stage and
  5. Healing stage

Cold sore is very contagious. So keep in mind the risk of transmitting the cold sore virus while you are at it. Take special care to avoid contact with infants.

How do you know you have cold sores anyway?


Lady with cold sores

Let's see what you are looking at.

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Cold Sores

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Is it a cold sore?

Are you looking at small fluid-filled blisters?
Pharmacist

 

 

Are there blisters that are red, raised a little from the skin surface?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Cold sores can present this way. This is a sign.
Pharmacist

Signs include:

  • Small fluid-filled blisters.
  • Red and raised a little.

 

Are you seeing blisters that are yellow or crusty?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a sign of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Cold sores can be:

  • Small fluid filled
  • Red and raised a little
  • Yellow and crusty

 

What about small blisters filled with clear yellowish fluid?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This can be a sign of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Cold sores can be:

  • Small fluid filled
  • Red and raised a little
  • Yellow and crusty
  • Blisters with clear yellowish fluid

 

Are you looking at leaking blisters?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
You are more than likely looking at a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Cold sores can be:

  • Small fluid filled
  • Red and raised a little
  • Yellow and crusty
  • Blisters with clear yellowish fluid
  • Leaking blisters

 

Alright.
Those were some of the physical signs of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

If you think you may be looking at a cold sore, let's continue.

Else, you will want to see your doctor for further evaluation.

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Cold sore

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Where do you have the blister or rash?
Pharmacist

Pharmacist
Near the eyes?
You will have to see a doctor for this.
Pharmacist

Herpes infection may be severe and dangerous if it occurs in or near the eye.

This is a leading cause of blindness in the United States as it causes scarring of the cornea.

Would you like to visit the nearest urgent care or Continue?

Alright.
A few more questions to determine the scope of this cold sore.
Pharmacist

Would you like do this or think you shoud see the nearest urgent care clinic to you from the discussions so far?

None of these?
You will have to see a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Pharmacist

Would you like to visit the nearest urgent care or Continue?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cold sore

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Any warning signs?

Did you experience tingling or burning near the lips or mouth area?

Before the blister or blisters appeared?
Pharmacist

 

You did?
This is one of the warning signs of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

 

What about itching of the lips or skin around the mouth?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a warning sign of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Warning signs include:

  • Tingling or burning near the lips or mouth area
  • Itching of the lips or skin around the mouth

 

If this is on the lips, is the whole lip swollen?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
You may be looking at an insect bite or allergic reaction.
Pharmacist

You should go to the nearest urgent care clinic.

Urgent Care

 

Did you have a sore throat before the blisters appeared?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Sore throat sometimes occur before the blisters of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Warning signs of a cold sore include:

  • Tingling or burning near the lips or mouth area
  • Itching of the lips or skin around the mouth
  • Sometimes a sore throat

 

Any fever before the blisters appeared?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Warning sign of a cold sore. Hence the name fever blisters.
Pharmacist

Warning signs include:

  • Tingling or burning near the lips or mouth area
  • Itching of the lips or skin around the mouth
  • Sometimes a sore throat
  • Fever

 

Did you feel your glands swollen before all these started?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a warning sign of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Warning signs of a cold sore include:

  • Tingling or burning near the lips or mouth area
  • Itching of the lips or skin around the mouth
  • Sometimes a sore throat
  • Fever
  • Sometimes swollen glands

 

Have you been around someone with a cold sore for the past 3 weeks?
Pharmacist

 

You have?
Chances of a cold sore is high.
Pharmacist

Cold sore is very contagious.

 

Alright.
Those were the warning signs of a cold sore.
Pharmacist

Let's see if you need to see a doctor for this or if you can take care of it with a pharmacist's recommended over-the-counter remedy.

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Cold sore

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Is this an outbreak.
Pharmacist

An outbreak is having many blisters at the same time.

Let's find out if this is the case.

 

Are you looking at small blisters that grew together into a large blister?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

What about small red blisters that break open and leak?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Are you seeing blisters filled with clear yellowish fluid?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Now,
have you been diagnosed with cold sore by a doctor before?

Or this is your first time experiencing cold sores?
Pharmacist

 

Diagnosed?
Better to continue with what worked for you in the past.
Pharmacist

If you:

  • Used a prescription medication before:
    Call the doctor for a refill or a new prescription. Doctors are aware of re-occurences and you may not have to go in and see the doctor.

  • Still have the cream or pills you were prescribed last time:
    See if they are not expired and use them as per the previous directions

  • Have no doctor at the moment:
    Continue to see what a pharmacist recommends over-the-counter until you can see a doctor.

  • Used an over-the-counter cream before and it worked fine:
    Then repeat it. It should work as before.

Would you like to see what a pharmacist recommend you use over the counter or visit the nearest urgent care clinic?

Urgent Care Continue

 

 

First time?
See a doctor when experiencing this for the first time.
Pharmacist

You need to be sure what you're dealing with.

If you are sure it is cold sore you are looking at, let's see a pharmacist for an over-the-counter recommendation.

If after 2 weeks, there is no improvement or you've had this cold sore for 2 weeks now and there is no improvement, then you must see a doctor.

Would you like to see what a pharmacist recommend or visit the nearest urgent care clinic for help?

Urgent Care Continue