Cold Sores (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- 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
- Viewer Comments: Herpes Simplex Infections (Cold Sores, Non-Genital) - Describe Your Experience
Cold Sore Symptoms
- Some patients have a "prodrome," which is when certain symptoms occur before the actual sores appear. The prodrome to herpes infections typically involves a burning or tingling sensation that precedes the appearance of blisters by a few hours or a day or two. As the cold sore forms, the area may become reddened and develop small fluid-filled blisters. Several of these small blisters may even come together and form one large blister. Cold sores
are mildly painful.
- When cold sores recur, the blisters dry up rapidly and leave scabs that last anywhere from a day to several days, depending on the severity of the infection.
Next: When to Seek Medical Care »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Herpes Simplex Infections (Cold Sores, Non-Genital) - Describe Your Experience
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
Please describe your experience with herpes simplex infections (cold sores, non-genital).
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Herpes Simplex »
Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are DNA viruses that cause acute skin infections and present as grouped vesicles on an erythematous base.
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