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 (also known as Orolabial herpes) is an infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). It 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)
Cold Sore Treatments
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: 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 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 (7):
Not removing makeup properly Hormonal changes (during menstruation or pregnancy) Consuming dairy products Stress Polycystic ovary syndromei XA 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
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 (8). 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 (9).
4. Benzoyl peroxide
This is a popular medication used for treating acne (10). 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 XA group of compounds derived from vitamin A that are widely used in cosmetics to address multiple skin issues. (11). 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 XA 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.
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.
