What is a Cold Sore?
A cold sore is a small, generally painful blister that appears on or around your lips and mouth, although they can also appear on your nose, chin, fingers, and even inside your mouth, though these types of cold sores are pretty rare. They generally last around a week to ten days and are fairly common. You may experience some light tingling or pain a few days before the cold sore appears, which is also common.
A cold sore appears as a red blister that does eventually break. When it does, puss will ooze out and then a crust will form over the cold sore. After seven to ten days, this crust will peel away to reveal new, pink skin. Cold sores do not generally leave a scar.
What causes a cold sore? Well, don’t be alarmed, but it is a strain of the herpes virus. Just because you have a cold sore does not mean you have the sexually transmitted disease, though! As stated above, cold sores are very common. Herpes type 1 is responsible for cold sores, while herpes type 2 causes genital herpes. However, it is possible for both types of herpes to cause cold sores and genital sores. Both types of herpes are spread through contact with someone who is already infected, either by exchanging bodily fluids, sharing a drink or eating utensils, or even by using the same towel.
Once infected with herpes type 1, it will remain in your body at the location the cold sore appeared. You may develop another cold sore at or near the same location, especially if you experience high levels of stress, run a fever, or are in the sun too long. While you can’t prevent cold sores, by avoiding the triggers that cause them to reappear, you can reduce the number of cold sores outbreaks you have. 
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