Cold Sores

Summer Skin Hazards Slideshow

• Cold Sores Overview
• Cold Sore Causes
• Cold Sore Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Cold Sore Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related cold sores articles:
  Cold sores - on WebMD
  Cold sores - on MedicineNet

Cold Sores Overview

Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, mouth, or nose that are caused by a virus. The sores can be painful and usually last a few days. Unlike most viral infections, the cold sore virus is not completely eliminated by the body defenses. For this reason, cold sores often recur.