Knowing the unique characteristics of the two can help you differentiate these lookalikes. For example, pimples near the lip only occur on the lip line, while cold sores can appear anywhere on or around the lip.
This article looks at the signs and symptoms of a cold sore versus a pimple on the lip line. It also explains the underlying causes and how each condition is treated.
How to Spot a Cold Sore
A “pimple” on the lip line might actually be the start of a cold sore. Cold sores (also known as oral herpes) are caused by the herpes simplex virus, most commonly herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It is an extremely common virus, affecting over 65% of the world’s population, although it doesn’t always cause breakouts.
Once you have HSV-1, the virus does not go away and can reactivate at any moment, causing a localized outbreak of blisters and sores.
There are several ways to tell if the bump on your face is a cold sore:
Cold sores form clusters of blisters. When an HSV-1 reactivates, it causes a sudden outbreak of tightly clustered blisters. The blisters are small but can merge into a larger blister over the course of hours. Cold sores most often affect the lip or lip area. Cold sores can also develop between the mouth and nose or just below the lip on the chin. Cold sores typically cause pain or discomfort. In the days or hours before a cold sore appears, you may notice a burning or tingling sensation on or around the lip. As the blisters form, there may be stinging, throbbing, or shooting pain. Cold sore blisters tend to rupture. Typically, a cold sore blister will burst open and ooze clear fluid. The open sore, called an ulcer, can be extremely painful. The sore will quickly crust over as it begins the process of healing.
How to Spot a Pimple
What looks like a pimple on the lip line can be just that. Pimples develop when a pore becomes blocked with dead skin cells and body oils. The blockage causes bacteria found normally on the skin to multiply, leading to the formation of a raised, red, pus-filled blemish.
You might feel a pimple before you actually see it. Quite often, though, pimples will appear spontaneously without any warning.
There are several ways to tell if the bump on your face is a pimple:
Pimples can develop over the entire face, including the edge of the lip. When pimples appear on the border of the lip, they can easily be confused for a cold sore, especially in the early stages. Pimples never occur directly on the lip itself. If you have a blemish in the middle of your lip, it’s likely to be a cold sore. Pimples form a raised red bump, not a blister. As the pimple progresses, it may develop a whitehead that peaks in the middle of the red bump. But, it still is distinctly not a blister. Most pimples have a single whitehead, but some get so big that they develop several heads.
Unlike cold sores, pimples are not contagious. So you can hug, kiss, and share lip balm with someone who has a pimple and never get one yourself.
How to Treat a Cold Sore
Treating a cold sore requires patience. It will heal over time, but while you’re waiting for that to happen, it’s important to ensure the virus doesn’t continue to spread. So here are some tips for coping with a cold sore:
Avoid touching your cold sore. Remember that the virus that causes cold sores is contagious. So touching your sore can spread the virus to other people or other areas of your own body, including the eyes. Don’t pop the blisters. Doing so won’t help the sore heal any faster and can actually make the breakout worse. Try an over-the-counter (OTC) cold sore treatment. Most cold sores will heal on their own. Unfortunately, this typically takes 10 days to two weeks. OTC treatments like Abreva (docosanol) can help shorten this healing time. See your healthcare provider for prescription medication. If you’re prone to cold sore breakouts, your healthcare provider can prescribe antiviral medications. These need to be taken at the very start of a breakout and can drastically reduce the severity and healing time. Use lip balms and salves, if needed. For cold sores that are crusted over and dry, applying a balm will keep the sore moist. Moisture can help prevent painful splitting. Apply balms and salves with a cotton swab rather than with your finger to avoid contamination.
How to Treat and Prevent Pimples on the Lip Line
A pimple on the lip line can’t always be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to care for your skin that will help.
Since pimples aren’t contagious, you can’t spread them to other people or other areas of your body. Take heart in knowing that the zit should start healing within a day to a week. Here are some tips for coping with pimples:
Don’t pick at or pop your pimple. Squeezing a pimple can make the blemish much worse. It can also cause scarring. Ice down especially large or painful blemishes. Wrap an ice cube in a soft cloth and hold it over the pimple for a few minutes at a time. If you do this a few times a day, it can help reduce swelling and ease the pain. Apply an over-the-counter spot treatment to individual pimples. Acne spot treatments can help speed healing. Don’t apply them more frequently than directed, though, since they can dry out and irritate your skin. Take a daily acne treatment medication. If you often get pimples or have them over your entire face or body, you may benefit from medication. Effective acne treatments will stop pimples before they form. Using these can help clear your skin long-term.
Summary
A pimple on the lip line might be just that—a spot of acne. However, what looks like a pimple on the lip line can also be the start of a cold sore. It’s important to know how to tell a lip line pimple from a cold sore.
Cold sores are contagious and cause clusters of tiny blisters, usually on and around the lip. Pimples are not contagious and cause raised, red bumps that can also appear around the lips, but not directly on the lip itself.
Antiviral medication and moisture may help speed the healing process with cold sores. Pimples may benefit from the use of spot treatments, daily medication, and ice.
Cold sores tingle or burn, and may become painful. Cold sores cause tiny, red blisters to form in a cluster. After several days, cold sore blisters will crust over.
