Cold Sores Vs. Pimples: How They Look, Causes, & Treatment

Cold sore vs. pimple – Are they the same? How do you spot the difference? It is easy to mix up a cold sore and a pimple because they both look and feel the same. There is, however, a significant distinction between the two. Knowing the differences between these two common skin problems is necessary for effective treatment and management. In this post, we will discuss the differences between cold sores and pimples and how to recognize them, along with their causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Keep reading to know more!

Cold Sores Vs. Pimples – How To Tell The Difference?

To better understand the difference, here’s a picture that compares cold sores and lip pimples. Scroll down.

What Do Cold Sores And Lip Pimples Look Like (Pictures)?

Whether you have cold sores or lip pimples, you can treat and prevent them. But first, you must know the causes and symptoms of cold sores and pimples. The next section discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for cold sores and lip pimples.

What Is A Cold Sore?

A cold sore or fever blister (also known as Orolabial herpes) is an infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Herpes on skin is not an uncommon condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 are infected with this virus. Cold sores are caused by the HSV-1 virus, which is contagious (1).

Cold Sore Causes

Cold sore is caused by HSV, which easily spreads from person to person through skin contact (1). Here are the causes of cold sores and how it spreads.

• Low immunity
• Poor diet
• Dehydration
• Injury
• Hormonal changes due to menstruation
• Fever
• Stress
• Cold, flu, and similar illnesses
• Kissing a person with cold sores
• Sharing towels
• Sharing eating utensils
• Oral sex
• Sharing drinks (drinking from the same can or bottle or glass)
• Sharing makeup (especially lipstick and other lip products)

How to know if you have cold sore? Check out the following symptoms to compare.

Cold Sore Symptoms

• A tingling sensation in the affected area
• Difficulty opening the mouth, eating, or talking
• The appearance of fluid-filled blisters in the affected region after a few days
• Clear fluid oozing out of blisters that may turn into painful sore(s)
• Fever or flu-like symptoms that show your body is reacting to the virus.

While identifying cold sores is important, learning the ways to prevent them is always better. Read below to learn more about the preventive measures you should follow.

How To Prevent A Cold Sore

• Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a strong immune system through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
• Sun Protection: Use sunscreen on lips and face to reduce the risk of getting cold sores from sun exposure.
• Stress Management: Practice meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to minimize the likelihood of cold sores triggered by stress.
• Hygiene Practices: Avoid sharing personal items like utensils, towels, or lip products to prevent the spread of the herpes simplex virus.
• L-lysine Supplementation: Evidence suggests that the daily intake of L-lysine, an amino acid, can help reduce the frequency of cold sore outbreaks (2).
• Early Treatment: If you notice any tingling or itching sensations around your lips, consult a doctor and apply an OTC antiviral cream to curb the severity of the cold sores.

Read on how to treat cold sores below.

Cold Sore Treatments

The first thing anyonewith cold sores will want to know is how to get rid of cold sores! Though you can’t cure a cold sore, you can treat the lesion. To speed up the healing process, try one of these treatment options:

1. Antiviral Medication: Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, cream, or ointment (3). The commonly prescribed pills include Valtrex, Famciclovir, and Acyclovir. The ointments usually prescribed for cold sores include Docosanol, Acyclovir, and Penciclovir (4).
2. At-Home Treatment Options: You may try cold compresses, avoid sun exposure, and use OTC creams and medicines. You may also try some alternative remedies such as applying lemon balm on the lesion (5). Licorice also has antiviral properties that help resist the HSV-1 virus (6). Aloe vera is also said to have wound-healing properties that can help reduce inflammation and speed up healing (7).

When it comes to cold sores, prevention is better than cure. So, avoid skin contact with people who have cold sores. Avoid sharing your personal items (such as towels, utensils, glasses, and spoons) and makeup items. Also, to avoid spreading the virus in kids, do not let people with cold sores kiss your baby or kid on the face.

These are the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for cold sores. Let’s now take a detailed look at lip pimple, the ways to identify it, and how you can treat it.

What Is A Lip Pimple?

A lip pimple is caused by a clogged hair follicle

. Pimples or zits can appear on any part of your body where you have hair follicles. You can get a pimple at the edge of your lips – and when it swells, it looks like it is right on your lip! When a hair follicle gets clogged with dirt, sebum, and dead skin cells, the area swells up, turns red, and becomes painful to touch. Unlike a cold sore, a lip pimple is not contagious.

Lip Pimple Causes

Here are the causes of lip pimple (8):

• Not removing makeup properly
• Hormonal changes (during menstruation or pregnancy)
• Consuming dairy products
• Stress
• Polycystic ovary syndromeⁱ  A condition characterized by ovaries that create an excess amount of androgens and male hormones, which manifests as cysts. (PCOS)
• Certain medicines, such as steroids

Let’s now check the symptoms of lip pimple.

Lip Pimple Symptoms

• A small reddish bump (which is almost flat) on the area
• The bump turning into a whitehead (with a white pus-filled tip) or a blackhead (a tip with a black dot)
• The pimple growing big and developing more pus, where it becomes tender and painful to touch

In the following section, we have listed a host of ways you can treat a lip pimple effectively.

Lip Pimple Treatments

If you want to know how to get rid of pimples on your lips, you are at the right place. The treatment method for a pimple depends on its severity. While mild and moderate pimples can be healed easily, severe cases may require medication. Here are a few things you can try out:

1. OTC Creams, Ointments, And Soaps

You can try OTC creams, ointments, and soaps that are made for treating pimples (9). They are alcohol-free and mild. Use them as suggested by the doctor or the manufacturer.

2. Hot Or Cold Compresses

Applying hot or cold compresses to the pimple helps reduce the inflammation

. These compresses also reduce the pain and redness in the affected area.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is widely used in ayurvedic treatments for various skin issues.

Its anti-inflammatory properties may help treat pimples (10).

Ms Meehnia, a blogger, detailed her experience of using turmeric for her pimples. She said, “This is not the fastest process to cure pimples I agree but it did not leave any scar/blemish whatsoever. All the ingredients are easily available in your kitchen. And my pimple was gone as if it was NEVER there (i).”

Quick Tip

You can mix half a teaspoon of turmeric and half a teaspoon of rose water. Apply the paste to the pimple. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Repeat it at least twice a day.

4. Benzoyl peroxide

This is a popular medication used for treating acne (11). This ingredient is commonly used in cleansers, gels, creams, and facial wipes. Use any of these products on your pimples.

5. Oral Medication

If the inflammation is moderate to severe, your doctor may also prescribe oral medications, such as antibiotics.

6. Topical Medications

Doctors often prescribe topical medicines for pimples, which usually contain salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or retinoidsⁱ  A group of compounds derived from vitamin A that are widely used in cosmetics to address multiple skin issues. (12).

The best way to prevent lip pimple is to keep your face clean. Make sure that you:

• Wash your face at least twice a day and remove makeup thoroughly.
• Avoid touching your face frequently with your hands.
• Use oil-free and non-comedogenicⁱ  A category of beauty or skin care products that claim not to clog or block skin pores. makeup.
• Clean your makeup brushes and beauty blenders regularly.

Quick Tip

You may use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser or clarifying shampoo to clean your makeup brushes to remove residual makeup.

Infographic: Cold Sore Vs. Pimple

You can use makeup products to conceal the cold sores and pimples that pop up on your face. Apply an OTC cream to dry out a cold sore before applying makeup. For pimples, apply any water-based moisturizer to prevent breakouts. Additionally, you can try home remedies such as honey, coconut oil, and licorice root for cold sores, and aloe vera, turmeric, and garlic for pimples. Click on the infographic below to learn more about concealing cold sores and pimples with makeup.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I pop a pimple on my lip?

No, popping a pimple on the lip should be avoided since it may get infected or leave a scar.

Can a cold sore have a whitehead?

Pimples and cold sores can develop heads, but they have different appearances. Pimples can generate blackheads or whiteheads depending on whether the follicle remains open or closed. But cold sores frequently form a little quantity of fluid. This fluid is more transparent and thinner in texture than a whitehead, which is usually white to yellow with a heavier liquid inside.

Can you pop a cold sore like a pimple?

No, cold sores should not be popped since it would cause scarring and spread to other areas of your body.

Are there any specific dietary changes that can help prevent cold sores and pimples on the lips?

Yes, increasing your intake of lysine-rich food may help reduce the activity of arginine, which increases the possibility of HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) replicating (13). Consume lysine-rich foods like cheese, soybean, fish, legumes, and chicken. Avoid eating sugar, pasta, and white bread as they have a high glycemic index, which increases sebum production and may cause pimples on the lips (14).

How can I distinguish between a cold sore and a blister caused by sunburn on the lips?

Cold sores are fluid-filled, red blisters, whereas blisters caused by sunburn on the lips are small and white.

Can certain lip balms or lipsticks trigger cold sores or pimples?

Yes, a cold sore can be triggered when you share your lip balm or lipstick with people who have a cold sore. Some lip balms and lipsticks can clog the pores around the lips, which may lead to lip pimples.

Illustration: Cold Sores Vs. Pimples: How They Look Causes & Treatment

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Confused about the difference between a cold sore and a pimple? This eye-opening video reveals the distinctive features, causes, and treatments for each so you can conquer those skin woes with confidence. Watch it now!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Vindhya L VeerulaMD, FAAD

   

Dr. Veerula (Dr. V) is a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. She is an energetic, proactive, and compassionate medical practitioner with 5 years of experience and a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness.

Read full bio of Dr. Vindhya L Veerula

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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