Skip to main navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer For Medicare For Providers For Brokers For Employers Español For Individuals & Families: For Individuals & Families Medical Dental Other Supplemental Explore coverage through work How to Buy Health Insurance Types of Dental Insurance Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment See all topics Shop for Medicare plans Member Guide Find a Doctor Log in to myCigna
Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Cold Sores

Cold Sores

Condition Basics

What are cold sores?

Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen, and sore. They usually heal in 7 to 10 days. Cold sores are most contagious until the blisters are completely healed.

What causes them?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. Cold sores can easily spread to others until the blisters are completely healed.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptoms of cold sores may include a spot that tingles, burns, or itches around your mouth and on your lips. A blister usually forms within 24 hours.

You may also have a sore mouth, a fever, a sore throat, or swollen glands in your neck or other parts of the body. Small children sometimes drool before cold sores appear.

After the blisters appear, the cold sores usually break open, leak a clear fluid, and then crust over. They usually heal in 7 to 10 days. For some people, cold sores can be very painful.

Some people have the virus but don't get cold sores. They have no symptoms.

You may not get cold sores when you are first infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). If cold sores do form when you are first infected, they may be more severe than in later outbreaks.

How are they diagnosed?

Your doctor can tell if you have cold sores by looking at the sore and asking you questions to find out if you have come into contact with the herpes simplex virus. You probably won't need any tests.

If it's not clear that you have cold sores, herpes tests may be done. The doctor takes a sample of fluid from a sore and has it tested. Having the sample taken usually isn't uncomfortable even if the sore is tender or painful.

How are cold sores treated?

Cold sores usually start to heal on their own in 7 to 10 days. Treatment can get rid of cold sores faster, and it can also help ease painful blisters or other symptoms.

Treatment may include:

  • Oral antiviral medicines. These can reduce pain and slightly improve healing time.
  • Topical creams or ointments. They may reduce pain, itching, and healing time.

To prevent recurring cold sores, oral antivirals may also be taken daily. This can be especially helpful for people who have frequent and painful outbreaks.

There is no cure for cold sores or the virus that causes them.

How can you prevent them?

There are some things you can do to keep from getting the virus that causes cold sores.

  • Avoid kissing a person who has cold sores.
  • Avoid sharing utensils, cups, or other items that a person with cold sores may have used.

If you've already been infected, reduce your number of outbreaks and prevent spreading the virus.

  • Avoid things that trigger your cold sores, such as stress and colds or the flu.
  • Always use lip balm and sunscreen on your face.
  • When you have a cold sore, wash your hands often. Try not to touch your sore.
  • Talk to your doctor if you get cold sores often.

Help prevent the spread of cold sores in children.

  • Encourage frequent hand-washing.
  • Don't let children share toys that other children put in their mouths.
  • Clean toys occasionally with a disinfectant.
  • If children have oozing cold sore blisters, keep them home until the blisters scab over.

Current as of: August 6, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

Related Links

Genital Herpes

<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>

Page Footer

I want to...

Get an ID card File a claim View my claims and EOBs Check coverage under my plan See prescription drug list Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility Find a form Find 1095-B tax form information View the Cigna Glossary Contact Cigna

Audiences

Individuals and Families Medicare Employers Brokers Providers

Secure Member Sites

myCigna member portal Health Care Provider portal Cigna for Employers Client Resource Portal Cigna for Brokers

The Cigna Group Information

About Cigna Healthcare Company Profile Careers Newsroom Investors Suppliers The Cigna Group Third Party Administrators International Evernorth

 Cigna. All rights reserved.

Privacy Legal Product Disclosures Cigna Company Names Customer Rights Accessibility Non-Discrimination Notice Language Assistance [PDF] Report Fraud Sitemap Cookie Settings

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details