If you’ve ever had a pimple pop up in close vicinity to your mouth, chances are you’ve wondered — even if just for a millisecond — if said blemish could actually be a cold sore, also known as oral herpes. It’s not an outlandish thought to have, either. Pimples and cold sores share certain similarities (especially in terms of appearance), which could easily elicit some confusion in someone who’s suffering a breakout.
In actuality, pimples and cold sores on the lips share very little in common, making them pretty easy to distinguish from one another once you know what to look for. With that in mind, Allure tapped several dermatologists to find out the differences between pimples and cold sores, what exactly makes them so different from one another, and of course, how you can treat them should they arise. Scroll down for the lowdown.
What causes a cold sore?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus-1, also called oral herpes or HSV-1, and they are contagious. The majority of people are exposed to the virus during childhood, but only 30 percent of people actually get clinical cold sores, says Friedman. You can catch the virus through direct skin contact, for example kissing or even using the same cup as someone with an active sore. From there, the virus pops out when your immune system is compromised or worn down, typically during times of emotional or physical stress, or if you’re sick, explains Zeichner.
As most of us know, acne can also occur during times of stress, but that’s where the similarities come to a halt. “Pimples can develop when hair follicles get infected with bacteria or fungus or blocked with a plug composed of oil, dead skin cells, and potentially other debris resulting in inflammation and bacterial overgrowth,” says Shah. Friedman adds that all acne is inflammatory, and when inflammation brews around the sebaceous gland, it causes the area to swell and more sebum to be produced, ultimately resulting in what usually appears as a pus-filled pimple. Those with hormonal acne also experience pimples, most often around the jawline area, during their menstrual cycle or when their hormones are fluctuating. Such is not the case in cold sores, as it’s a viral infection not impacted by hormones.
What are the early cold sore symptoms?
The simplest way to determine whether you have a pimple or a cold sore is to pay close attention to the warning signs. For instance, if you feel a tingling or burning sensation before the blemish even emerges, that’s your body’s way of telling you a cold sore is coming. “Often you may notice tingling, itching, or burning in the area before the blisters appear,” explains Sejal Shah, a New York City-based dermatologist. This is known as the prodromal phase in the herpes simplex virus, which is when people experience changes in themselves (such as said burning) but haven’t yet acquired any clear-cut symptoms.