Common "Cold Sores" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Cold Sores

Cold sore is an infection that occurs due to the herpes simplex virus around the lips. It often gets triggered by sun exposure, cold, cold wind, a weak immune system, stress, and changing hormone levels. Cold sore usually gives a tingling, burning, and itching sensation.

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All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.

I have a red circle in my mouth that is not painful. What can this be?

Query: Hello doctor, I have a red circle on the inside of my mouth that is not painful, but I have had it for about two weeks. I have a history of reoccurring mouth ulcers and cold sores due to my habit of picking and biting at my lips and cheek due to my anxiety.  Read Full »


Dr. Soheel Hussain Zargar

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. However, after reading your case history, I am sure that your oral ulcers occur due to stress. Usually, it happens among females who also have so many other issues due to hormonal and menstrual changes. Therefore, you will have to work on yo...  Read Full »

Since I am diagnosed with HSV-1, will I get cold sores?

Query: Hi doctor, A few days later after having sex with my boyfriend, I had a bit of yellow discharge and felt pain. I consulted with a nurse who did a pap smear and told me I had chlamydia. She took a swab of the tear and did blood work for herpes. The IgG was negative for HSV-2 and positive for HSV-1. T...  Read Full »


Dr. Neha Rathod

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed your query and images (attachments removed for patient identity protection). Yes, this could be the reason for your cold sores. The infection will not be present in the body from the beginning. You acquired it from a source, such as another person, shar...  Read Full »

I have a red inflamed area on my upper lip. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, I have a red and slightly inflamed area on my top lip. It has been there for three to four days and it does not seem to go away. I do not think it is a cold sore as I have never got one and has not gotten any bigger. Please, can I have some advice on what to put? I have attached a few ...  Read Full »


Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through the photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I request you to kindly upload a few more good quality slightly close-up images so that I am able to have a better look. A cold sore usually presents with a grape-like cluster of fluid-...  Read Full »

Can I take Valacyclovir for the mouth sores caused due to herpes infection?

Query: Hi doctor, Does Valacyclovir 500 mg help to prevent mouth sores caused due to herpes?   Read Full »


Dr. Shubadeep Debabrata Sinha

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug used for the treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis). The efficacy of Valacyclovir is not established after the development of cold sores. Hence, it should be used as early as possible. It should be used preferably at the earliest sym...  Read Full »

I kissed my partner before he had a cold sore. Am I at risk?

Query: Hello doctor, My partner has a cold sore. I kissed him before it actually looked like one. I already carry Herpes simplex virus (HSV)1, but I have never had a cold sore. Did I put myself at risk?  Read Full »


Dr. Ashwini. V. Swamy

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Herpes simplex virus (HSV), if once acquired, stays lifelong. When it is dormant, it does not produce cold sores. When there are risk factors like stress in any form, physical stress, mental/emotional stress, recent illness, surgeries, and prolonged sun exposure can t...  Read Full »

Why do I get recurrent infected sores in lips?

Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from a cold sore type infection in my mouth especially at lips. Same was occurred last year and again it repeated this year. And as on today it is the third time it is coming and curing within a period of 10 to 20 days. I want to add photographs but do not know how. Fu...  Read Full »


Dr. Beryl F

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. I have gone through your query, attached pictures, and your previous prescription. (attachment removed to protect patient identity). These cold sores are of viral origin and it is called herpetic stomatitis. This has a high recurrence rat...  Read Full »

Me and my girlfriend developed bumps on the lips after kissing each other. Why so?

Query: Hello doctor, Me and my girlfriend kissed each other a few days back. After an hour or so, we both got bumps around our lips. I am worried as the bumps are still present. What to do? Please help.  Read Full »


Dr. Suvash Sahu

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen your query. I have seen the image (the attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). It seems you have developed a cold sore or herpes labialis. Please get checked for serum HSV (herpes simplex virus) for IgG and IgM antibodies. It is an Infectio...  Read Full »

I tested negative for HIV, but now my wife has symptoms. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, After 45 days after exposure, I took PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), because of anxiety. I got hemorrhoids after the test. After finishing PEP I tested negative for HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Two weeks after PEP I developed rashes and mouth thrush (mild) and a whitish tongue....  Read Full »


Dr. Shah Sushma Kant

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your first query consult is on us! Without a test, it seems negative. PEP is highly reactive. All the symptoms may be due to that also. She does not have HIV. My advice: Consult your specialist doctor, talk to them, and take the medications after their consent. Take a ...  Read Full »

Can cold suggest HIV even with a negative test?

Query: Hello doctor, I have read some of the replies on the non-transmission of STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) or HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) by massage and hand job. Still, I want to discuss my query with you. About 18 days back I went for a normal massage, but somehow it finished with a quic...  Read Full »


Dr. Shah Sushma Kant

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query. You are the first person with such complaints and who would go for a test even. Winter is not finished in a lot of places, so such complaints are very common after massage. Reading online can give a lot of confusion and no solution will be g...  Read Full »

Why do I get cold sores and rashes during my period?

Query: Hello doctor, Just wanted to know that from last two times, whenever I get my periods I get this cold sores and rashes like allergy happens on the linings of my lips. The last period date was 17th of the last month and I got this allergy and cold sores like blisters all over my lips and lining of my...  Read Full »


Dr. Sameer Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The allergic rashes if they are occurring specifically during menses and the only line the vaginal lips then the cause is unlikely to be menses per se but rather the material of the sanitary pads that you are using from day one. If you have changed the brand of the s...  Read Full »

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