Can You Pop a Cold Sore?

Do’s and Don’ts for Cold Sores to Heal Fast

Cold sores are a nuisance. They hurt. They’re uncomfortable. And they don’t look good either. If you have one, you probably want to get rid of it as fast as possible. So, can you pop a cold sore? 

Turns out the answer may surprise you... 

Learn everything about cold sores in this post and what you should and shouldn’t do to help them go away quickly. 

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores (also known as fever blisters) are small, fluid-filled blisters generally around your lips. They’re a result of a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than 67% of the world population has HSV-1.

The first sign of a cold sore is a tingling sensation by your lips. 

Some describe it as a hard bubble forming underneath your skin. Then, this bubble gradually turns into several fluid-filled sacs. 

With time, these sacs pop, and the cold sore heals over the next few days.

Can You Pop a Cold Sore?

Popping cold sores is a common occurrence. For one, cold sores are uncomfortable, and they’re in an area where you’re constantly aware of them. 

However, there’s also a common misconception that popping cold sores will lead to faster healing times.

In theory, you can pop a cold sore. The fluid-filled blisters can break if you apply pressure to them.

However, the better question to ask is whether you should pop a cold sore. 

And the answer is very clear...

Should You Pop a Cold Sore?

While popping a cold sore may seem like a good idea at first, it’s not. If you pop the blisters of a cold sore, it won’t heal faster. 

In fact, the open wound is more likely to get infected. And that can lead to even longer healing times.

How Long Do Cold Sores Last?

Generally, a cold sore lasts around 1-2 weeks. A cold sore is contagious from the moment you start getting that tingling sensation until the wounds of the popped blisters disappear.

How to Care for a Cold Sore: Do’s and Don’ts

Follow these simple steps to avoid making your cold sore worse while keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy.

DON’T: Pop It

One of the best pieces of advice we can give on how to treat a cold sore is not to pop it. Just because you can pop a cold sore, doesn’t mean you should.

DON’T: Put Alcohol On It

Putting rubbing alcohol (or worse, drinking alcohol) on a cold sore does more harm than good. It causes irritation and increases pain.

There are a lot more effective and gentle home remedies out there to get rid of a cold sore.

DON’T: Share Utensil With Loved Ones

Cold sores are extremely contagious. From the moment you start feeling the cold sore coming on to when it completely clears up, you can infect others. 

Sharing utensils, drinking glasses, lipstick, or kisses with loved ones can infect them. Make sure you take every preventive measure to protect their wellbeing.

DO: Leave It Alone

The best thing you can do for your cold sore is to leave it alone. Try to minimize how much you pick at it. The more you irritate it, the more inflamed it will become.

Let the blisters of a cold sore pop naturally. Your body’s immune system can take care of popping cold sores on its own terms. 

Cold sores can heal by themselves without medical intervention. However, you can definitely make it easier on yourself with home remedies and medication.

DO: Try Home Remedies

Since cold sores are extremely common, there are a lot of home remedies out there that people swear by. Feel free to try some of the safer home remedies.

Putting honey, lemon balm, aloe vera gel, or toothpaste on cold sores can calm your skin, dry out the blisters, and dull the pain.

DO: Get OTC or Prescription Medication

If you’re looking for more scientifically proven methods to get rid of cold sores, there are plenty of over-the-counter medications available at your local drugstore.

Alternatively, if those don’t bring you the desired results, you can talk to a doctor to get prescription cold sore medication.

DO: Talk to a Doctor

Cold sores may be common, but they need to be treated seriously. Whether this is your first cold sore or you have a recurring fever blister outbreak, talking to a doctor can help inform you on what to do.

Talking to a Doctor About Cold Sores Has Never Been Easier

While cold sores aren’t a life-threatening illness, they’re certainly annoying. Sadly, they can be painful, too. If you want to fast-track your healing and reduce your suffering, then you should speak to a doctor.

Luckily, you don’t even need to go to visit the doctor in person to get the care you deserve. Thanks to Carefree MD, you can talk to a doctor using your phone or computer at your convenience.

All you need to do is sign up for Carefree MD and experience the ease of unlimited access to a 24/7 doctor on call.

Simply activate your card for just $17.95/month and experience the ease of telemedicine from the comfort of your home.

Speak to a state-licensed physician about your symptoms, get prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy when medically necessary, and receive personalized advice on treatment options.

Get rid of your cold sore by signing up for a Carefree MD membership today!

The Carefree MD blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed doctor or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.

The Carefree MD Card is not insurance and Carefree MD is not an insurance provider.