Cold sores are commonly signed by the occurrence of fever blisters. These are small watery raised skin which may be located around the mouth, around the nose, or on the lips. Fever blisters are itchy and might be painful. In some severe cold sore, these blisters might be accompanied by raised temperature. Cold sore is contagious and can easily spread over the face. Healing cold sore might not be simple and can be time consuming. This has to be started immediately to avoid worse infection.

Can a cold sore leave a scar on lip?

Cold sore appears in the form of blisters which have the potential of scarring. This is the reason why cold sore treatment has to be done initially. Many people concern about preventing post- healing scars caused by fever blisters, because these scars are visible and distract physical perfectness. Fever blisters on lips are common in cold sore flare ups. As lips are formed by sensitive flesh and skin, a trauma to it can possibly cause scars. Fever blisters is one of these possible causes. Some light scars may form after cold sore burst and left on the lips for quite a while.

Why cold sores leave scars on lip?

There are various causes which trigger the formation of scars following cold sore infection by herpes simplex virus on the lips. Fever blisters, which occur as an initial sign of cold sore flare up commonly itch and stingy. These blisters formation is followed by production of dry scales. Along with the healing process, cold sore blisters turn into very itchy scabs. This tempt a lot of people to start picking this scab.

Unfortunately, scabs are basically how your body telling you that your wound is healing. The formation of scab upon healed fever blisters is a sign that natural collagen is repairing dead skin cells after our immune system defeated the HSV-1. This process is indeed accompanied by severe itchiness which can be eased by picking the scabs. However, picking the scabs does not only leave a very sensitive part of the skin into external environment, but also can possibly break the tissues and causes bleeding. This also delays the healing process which in fact, is in progress. As the healing process is disrupted and tissues might be broken because of scab picking, the new formed skin may not be evenly smooth in color. Instead, an area might be less tanned as it was exposed too early while it was still very delicate. This less tanned or hyper pigmented area is what we see as scars which can develop on your lips after fever blisters flare ups.

How to minimize scab picking

Scab picking is indeed very tempting, as most scabs cause itchiness while healing process is almost completed. When you start picking a scab, it is most likely you will do it continuously. This will cause continuous broken skin and tissues and too early delicate skin exposure. Hence, this leads to scar problem. Although it is not easy, trying to avoid picking a scab is a definite attempt to do in order to prevent cold sore from scarring. Some things can be done to turn your attention from the tingling itchiness you might feel when your cold sore is healed.

1. Apply a thin layer of Vaseline on your cold sore blisters. Petroleum jelly or Vaseline keeps the wound moist and hence, keep the itching down. When your wound is completely healed, the scabs will come off without your effort of picking them.
2. A warm water compress also helps with itching and pains caused by not-fully-healed blisters. Put a compress on the wound or around the affected skin will help sterilizing the wound and minimize itching.
3. Keep your healing wound from sunlight exposure. Sunlight exposure gives a dry environment to the skin cells which can end up killing them. Sun exposure also prolongs the healing process and keep the wound red and delicate for longer period. Instead, keeping the wound covered keep the germs and bacteria away, so that the healing process will be faster and the possibility of getting some scars is kept down.