Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are small, painful blisters on or around the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus. After the first infection, the virus stays in the body and can flare up again.

What brings on an outbreak

  • Fever, cold or flu
  • Stress or lack of sleep
  • Strong sun
  • Periods
  • Injury to the lips

Many people feel tingling or burning a day before the blisters appear.

Home care

  • Keep the area clean and dry, and don't pick or burst the blisters
  • Use a separate towel, and don't share cups, spoons or lip balm
  • Avoid kissing, especially babies, until the sores have fully healed
  • Use lip balm with sunscreen outdoors

See a doctor quickly if

  • blisters appear near the eye
  • a baby or a person with weak immunity gets cold sores
  • sores spread widely or don't heal within two weeks

Where homeopathy fits

No treatment removes the virus from the body. For people who get cold sores again and again, Dr Amit Kumar looks at how often they come and what triggers them, and treatment aims at fewer and milder outbreaks. See homeopathic treatment for herpes.

Dr Amit Kumar (BHMS, Delhi Homoeopathic Board Reg. No. 2350) has practised in Sector 4, Vaishali, Ghaziabad since 1994. The clinic is at B-3, Basement, Mini Reliance Plaza, near Sarvodaya Hospital, open Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 1 PM and 6 PM to 8 PM. A consultation costs ₹500.

See clinic timings and book a consultation