Pharmacist says there are three instances you should seek medical advice about cold sores

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a common viral infection that many Brits experience. These small, fluid-filled blisters appear on and around the lips, often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a scab forms that can last several days.

Cold sores usually heal in two to three weeks without leaving a scar. If you're unsure about when to seek medical advice about them, then you're in luck, as a leading pharmacist has shared his advice. Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U , has provided expert insights on what cold sores are, their causes, and how to effectively manage them.



Cold sores are small fluid-filled blisters that typically appear around the lips and mouth. Approximately 1 in 5 people in the UK experience recurring cold sores, making them very common amongst Brits. While cold sores can be uncomfortable and unsightly, they usually clear up on their own within 7-10 days.

However, there are instances where you should seek medical advice. According to Phil, these are: Phil explains that stress, tiredness or illness, hormonal changes, sun exposure or cold weather and physical injury to the area can all trigger cold sores. Effective treatments include antiviral creams such as aciclovir, cold sore patches, pain-relieving gels or over-the-counter painkillers and keeping the area clean and dry.

Pharmacist Nyrah, known as @healthwithnyrah on TikTok, recently shared a video with her 456,000 followers, offering advice on cold sore treatments. She suggested taking paracetamol for pain and recommended the use of aciclovir cream. She advised applying a thin layer to the cold sore five times a day, every four hours.

To prevent cold sores, which are highly contagious, she recommended using SPF lip balms, maintaining overall health, avoiding triggers, washing hands frequently during outbreaks and refraining from scratching sores. The NHS website states that a cold sore "usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling", followed by one or more painful blisters appearing on the face within 48 hours. These small, fluid-filled blisters can appear anywhere on the face and will burst and crust over into a scab.

Cold sores remain contagious from the moment you first feel tingling or other signs of a cold sore coming on until it has completely healed. They can easily spread to other people and other parts of your body. To stop them spreading, you should:.