Pimples under the lip.
Both cold sores and pimples can be annoying because they tend to hurt and can be obvious to other people. While they can both be annoying, they often look and feel different, so their similarities often stop there. To tell the difference between a cold sore and a pimple, you need to consider the location of the lesion; Cold sores usually only appear near the mouth, but pimples can appear anywhere. The two often look quite different, because cold sores often form a yellow crust. Also, the symptoms of a cold sore often give away their identity because they can be felt even before they appear.
A cold sore.
Recognizing a cold sore often requires considering the location, because the sores often appear in or around the mouth. Blackheads, on the other hand, can appear anywhere on the face or body, though not directly on the lips. If the lesion is on the forehead, upper cheeks, or nose, it is likely a pimple; it’s probably a cold sore if it’s on the lips. It may be more difficult to tell the difference if the stain is close to the mouth, even on the chin or under the cheeks, because both can appear in these areas.
Toothpaste can be effective in removing blackheads.
Examine the appearance of the stain and how it changes over time. Cold sores often release fluid and then crust over on their own, resulting in a yellow, scaly coating over the patch. Blackheads can release fluid, such as pus or blood, but usually only when you squeeze or prick them. If you poked and poked the spot, causing fluid to ooze out, you may need to use another method to tell if it’s a pimple or a cold sore.
One difference between a sore and a pimple is that pimples can sometimes fill with pus.
Pay attention to the other symptoms that accompany the stain. If you didn’t notice any symptoms before the breakout appeared, you probably have a pimple, because the only symptom that usually accompanies acne is irritation after it becomes visible. An itchy or tingling area before the sore appears usually indicates a cold sore. Other symptoms of a cold sore include burning in the area before the sore appears and pain during the outbreak. If you are still unsure about the differences between a cold sore and a pimple, you can see a dermatologist or other medical professional to have the blemish checked out.
