Can Cold Sore Blisters Be Popped?
Cold sores--also called fever blisters--are unsightly, particularly when watery blisters emerge on your lips or around the area of your mouth. Your first instinct may be to pop them, applying the reasoning that this will make the blisters dry out and heal faster. However, popping the blisters on your cold sore is never a good idea.
What Causes Cold Sore Blisters?
Cold sore blisters are caused by the herpes simplex-1 virus (HSV-1), which is usually contracted at some point during childhood when you get an affectionate kiss from a relative or friend. The HSV-1 travels into the nerve ganglia at the top of your spine, where it lays dormant until it awakens and causes you to have a fever blister.
Most people who get fever blisters--according to the American Social Health Association, around 75 percent--never get another again, even though they continue to house HSV-1 in their bodies. HSV-1 is quite common, and ASHA estimates that at least half of the adult population in America has it. If you have a fever blister, you have what medical professionals call oral herpes--and this should give you pause before you pop those pesky blisters.
Popping: Never a Good Way
When you pop your cold sore blister, remember that the watery substance inside of it contains the herpes virus. If you get this on your hands, you can cause the virus to spread to other parts of your body. If you don't wash your hands afterward and then go to the restroom, there's a small chance that you can transfer the virus to your genital region. Popping cold sore blisters can also expose your skin to bacterial infections that eventually cause deep scarring.
Try Not to Touch
According to the Mayo Clinic, most cold sores resolve on their own between seven and ten days without any need for treatment. But if your cold sore is particularly painful, there are over-the-counter creams and ointments with anesthetic properties that can give you relief. However, ASHA urges you to use caution when using these, because frequent application may cause your cold sore blister to linger simply because you're touching the inflamed area repeatedly.
According to ASHA, there is one topical drugstore treatment, called Abreva, that is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration that can help cold heal more rapidly.
Prescription Medications
If your cold sore is particularly severe or if you have frequent cold sores, your doctor may recommend that you take an oral medication called an antiviral. These may go by the brand names of Famvir, Valtrex or Zovirax and are the same medications used to treat symptoms of genital herpes. ASHA states that a one-day dose of Valtrex has been proven to be effective in treating cold sores when it's used when the sore begins to erupt.
Other Precautions
Although many people already have HSV-1, it's impossible to know who's already experienced an outbreak of oral herpes and who hasn't. To the uninfected population, you are considered highly contagious. While you have a cold sore, make sure you don't kiss anyone or engage in close face-to-face contact so you won't spread this virus around. Be particularly careful around babies and children. Genital herpes can be caused by the HSV-1 virus, so it's important to refrain from having oral sex while you have an unhealed cold sore.
Need More Information?
If you have additional questions about cold sores (oral herpes), contact ASHA's National Herpes Hotline (see Resources).
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