If you have never had a cold sore (aka fever blister) before, or an outbreak you are experiencing didn't begin with the usual tingling sensations, you may be suffering from another condition instead.
Don't worry if you've been using Herstat on the problem area though. If you have used our cold sore treatment before without having an allergic reaction*, applying the ointment to a different ailment on a similar area of your body shouldn't have any negative effects.
Cold sore symptoms
To work out whether you are indeed suffering from a cold sore, read through the typical stages of an outbreak to see whether you recognise the symptoms:
- A tingling, itching, burning, or numbing sensation around the mouth
- The appearance of small fluid-filled blisters
- Smaller blisters turning into larger ulcers
- The ulcers weeping
- The ulcers scabbing over
- The scab falling off
Without treatment, a cold sore usually lasts about 12 days.
Using Herstat from the outset can reduce the duration of outbreaks to just seven days.
Beginning to apply our ointment at a later stage of the outbreak will still speed the healing of your cold sore - unlike many other brands which are ineffective unless they are used from the very start.
Don't recognise these symptoms?
If you are not familiar with the stages listed above, then you might be suffering from a different condition. It is always best to visit your GP to receive a professional diagnosis so that you can begin the appropriate treatment, if one is necessary. However, in the meantime, here is a list of other ailments commonly mistaken for cold sores:
- Canker sores - These types of ulcers usually appear on the inside of the mouth, are shallow, and normally grey in colour. Their cause is unknown - it is thought that stress or tissue injury might be responsible. They can make talking and eating painful, but they are not contagious. Usually they heal on their own within a couple of weeks.
- Impetigo - This is a highly contagious skin infection and is quite common, although it mainly affects children. It causes large fluid-filled blisters, but these can appear all over the body and are usually painless. Without treatment, the symptoms normally cease in about three weeks.
- Molluscum contagiosum - This is a highly contagious viral skin infection which causes small, firm spots to appear all over the skin. These spots are not normally painful, but can be itchy. In healthy individuals, this condition usually clears up on its own in 12-18 months.
- Ingrown hairs - This occurs when a hair curls round and grows back into the skin. This causes red spots which can turn into sores.
- A pimple - Unfortunately spots can still crop up after your teenage years. They can be caused by blocked pores, hormonal changes, certain medications, smoking, and allergic reactions, amongst other things.
The information on this page should not be used to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always go and see your GP if you are unsure of what you are suffering from.
Treating a cold sore
If you have a cold sore and want to get rid of it, and its symptoms, as quickly as possible, try Herstat. It has been clinically proven to speed healing and ease all the unpleasant symptoms of an outbreak, such as redness, pain, swelling, and dry skin.
To purchase a tube today, as well as read more about the product, please click here.
Furthermore, to help reduce the frequency of your outbreaks we have developed a LipCare Stick. Click here to read more and to purchase one.
*We don't recommend that you use Herstat if you are allergic to bees or beehive products. To read more about our ingredients, please click here.
Photo © Marla Morri via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence. Adapted by Herstat.
