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Pimples and cold sores have a LOT in common.
They love to pop up at inconvenient times (like right before a date), they thrive on stress, and they can be a b*tch to cover up.
And when they pop up near your lips, they can also look identical. Literally the worst form of squad goals.
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So how do you tell the difference between a cold sore or pimple? First, you need to understand their causes.
Pimples are the result of inflammation caused by clogged pores and bacteria. Hormones can play a major role as well.
“In women, hormonal acne typically manifests as pimples along the chin and jawline,” says dermatologist Dr. Maura Caufield. But you can get them practically anywhere on your body, from your forehead to your butt.
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Cold sores on the other hand, are caused by the herpes simplex virus.
“The virus is contagious and is transmitted by direct contact with an active lesion. Once you have the herpes virus, it establishes life-long latency in nerve cells and can be reactivated in the future,” she says.
Translation: Once you have it, you’ll likely have flare-ups - often in the same area (like your lips) - for your whole life.
“Triggers of reactivation include stress, sun, fever and cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments and chemical peels.”
Cold sore or pimple: What is it?
You can tell the difference between the two by seeing how the lesion looks when it’s first forming.
“Cold sores typically start as a cluster of small fluid-filled bumps at the edge of the lip, which then become open sores,” says Caufield.
There’s often a tingling or burning sensation that goes with it. Then as the cold sore begins to heal, it will often form a scab. This isn’t generally the case with pimples (unless you popped or picked at it!).
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If the bump keeps showing up in the exact same spot and it’s the only area on your face that looks like that, it’s probably a cold sore.
“If you have similar lesions on other areas of the face, it may be a flare of acne,” says Caufield. If you’re still unsure, it’s smart to go see a dermatologist before you begin a treatment plan.
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Okay… how do you treat them?
For acne, prevention is always key.
“This is best achieved with a nightly retinoid cream, which are now available over the counter,” says Caufield.
“Anti-bacterial washes such as benzoyl peroxide can be preventative as well.”
If you get a pimple despite your efforts, try dabbing it with benzoyl peroxide cream or another favourite acne spot treatment.
There is no cure for the herpes virus, so the best way to treat cold sores is with medication that helps reduce their duration and symptoms.
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“The best treatment is a short course of an oral anti-viral medication prescribed by your doctor, most commonly valacyclovir,” says Caufield.
You should start taking the meds as soon possible after the outbreak, ideally within a day or two, in order to see the best results.
According to Caufield, over-the-counter topical medications for cold sores may help but aren’t as effective as the anti-virals. Check out these other natural ways you can help treat and prevent them as well.
This article was originally published on Women's Health.
