Cold sores are sometimes known as facial herpes. While they usually occur on the lips, or around the mouth, they can appear in other places. Is it possible to get a cold sore on your cheek? Yes. So, what can you do about it?
The good news is that when you get a cold sore on your cheek. It is no different from a blister anywhere else. It is still caused by the herpes simplex virus, and it’s just likely something in your life triggered the flare-up to occur.
Common triggers for cold sores include things like stress, sunlight or cold conditions, a weakened immune system, or contact with someone who already has one. You can even spread the virus by touching an existing blister, and then touching another area of your skin.
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to getting a cold sore on your cheek. Treating it effectively is the most important thing, but most of the time, it can be treated the way you would heal any blister around the mouth. Because of its location, however, it may be even more noticeable, so you’ll want to make sure you use a treatment that shortens healing time significantly.
What Can I Do About a Cold Sore on the Cheek?
The best thing you can do for a cold sore on the cheek is to treat it as quickly as possible. Cold sores go through stages. While they will eventually heal and go away on their own, they can be painful and embarrassing in the process, especially if they are somewhere more noticeable.
This article will offer some of the best options for treating a cold sore on your cheek. We will also make sure you know how to identify it, so you don’t get the blister confused with some other common conditions.
How Can I Be Sure It’s a Fever Blister?
Even cold sores that appear on the lip can sometimes be confused with other skin conditions or growths. When they are on the cheek (which is rarer), that confusion may be more common. Two of the most common conditions cold sores often get confused with are canker sores and pimples.
To ensure the bump on your cheek is not a pimple, there are several defining characteristics. They may start out looking quite similar, as a small red bump on the skin. However, that’s where the similarities end.
A pimple may continue to grow, but shouldn’t itch or be painful like a cold sore. Sometimes, a pimple will have a white or black head, caused by a hair follicle that is clogged. Cold sores will be painful and itchy and will go through different stages of blistering. Pimples can occur on the cheek because there are hair follicles there. However, a pimple cannot occur on the lip (where cold sores often show up). If you’ve ever experienced a cold sore on your lip, it should have the same effects as one on your cheek.
Another common condition that can be confused for a fever blister is a canker sore. However, the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that a canker sore will never be on the outside of the mouth or cheek. They always occur within the mouth. A canker sore will never affect your skin. They are also not caused by a virus like a fever blister.
As a cold sore grows and goes through its ‘lifespan,’ it can go from an irritating red bump to a blister. That blister will then burst open and ooze. After it has burst, it will begin a scabbing stage, which indicates healing. If you experience some skin growth or condition that doesn’t have these characteristics on your cheek, you probably don’t have a cold sore.
How Long Will it Take to Heal?
Because a cold sore on the cheek (or anywhere else) has to go through the same process as a blister around the mouth, it will take around the same amount of time to heal. Without any treatment or extra care, fever blister can take anywhere from a few days, to up to two weeks to heal completely. During that time, they can go through stages that are extremely painful.
If any interruptions occur during these stages (scabbing gets cracked open, etc.), it could take even longer for the blister to go away. That’s why it’s important to find a treatment option that works for you to alleviate painful symptoms, and speed up the healing process. A cold sore on the cheek is contracted in the same way as one on the mouth. They should be treated the same way.
Best Treatment Options for a Cold Sore on the Cheek
If you’ve previously found a treatment that works during flare-ups, it should work just as well anywhere else. However, if you’ve never had a cold sore before, and you’re getting one on the cheek for the first time, try one of the following solutions:
- Abreva: Apply it as early as possible to the stages of your cold sore, and you can experience instant relief. It will also help to shorten the life of the blister and encourage healing. Read Our Abreva Cream Review.
- HERP-B-GONE: If you’re looking for a potent solution, but want to go an all-natural route, it is one of the most popular options. It contains only natural ingredients, like coconut oil, hemp oil, and propolis LE. Even though the formula doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, the ingredients enough are potent enough to alleviate the symptoms of a cold sore quickly. Because of the natural formula, it’s very unlikely that you would experience any negative side effects from using this product. Read our HERP-B-GONE Review.
There are dozens of additional over-the-counter treatments available that receive positive reviews when it comes to getting rid of blisters. You should always make sure you fully understand the ingredients of anything you’re using on a cold sore, so you can make sure it’s the best possible choice for you. There are even home remedies that can help to lessen the severity of cold sore symptoms, such as tea tree oil, and even ice. It’s all about discovering what works best for you to alleviate discomfort.
Most treatment options you’ll find will suggest using them at the initial symptoms of a blister. These symptoms typically include things like tingling or itching at the affected area. If you find that you’re prone to cold sores anywhere, it’s best to keep some product around at all times. Make sure you can use it as early as possible. However, if you’re halfway through the cycle of a flare-up, don’t hesitate to start treatment at any time.
One of the latest FDA-approved treatments is the Virulite Cold Sore Device.
How Can I Prevent Spreading the Virus?
Cold sores are contagious. You may even experience a flare-up because you touched someone else, or something else that had the virus. It can even live on objects for a while. Keeping your distance from things like cups, utensils, lipsticks, toothbrushes, etc., that may have been used is essential.
However, you can also spread the virus around your own body. It could be one of the reasons you’re experiencing a cold sore on your cheek. We touch our faces multiple times a day, usually without even realizing it. Unfortunately, if you touch an area affected by the herpes simplex virus, and then touch another part of your skin, you risk spreading the virus and increasing your chances of another outbreak.
If you have a cold sore anywhere on your body, touch it as little as possible. It can be difficult to avoid at times, especially if it’s itchy. If you do accidentally touch your fingers to the blister, wash your hands immediately afterward. Additionally, wash your hands after applying any treatment. Any lotions, soaps, or face creams that you regularly use may need to be discarded once a cold sore has run its course, in case they have been contaminated.
Should I Be Worried About a Cold Sore on My Cheek?
Though a cold sore on the cheek may appear unsightly, it is no more harmful than a blister anywhere else. It is rarer than getting a blister on the lip or around the mouth, but it does happen. It doesn’t mean the blister will be any more or less severe.
Cold sores can be painful no matter where they show up. If you do have one on your cheek, it may be tempting to pick at them during the scabbing stage. So, treating it with the Virulite Electronic Cold Sore Machine is important to get rid of those irritating symptoms.
Do what you can to avoid contracting cold sores from others. Additionally, protect yourself from common flare-up triggers such as harsh weather conditions, stress, etc. Make sure you’re taking care of your immune system with a healthy diet and supplemental vitamins, if necessary. By following more cold sore preventative steps, you may avoid getting them completely.
If you do experience a cold sore on your cheek, try one of the over-the-counter options listed for fast relief, and a quicker healing time.