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Warning-sign checks

Cold sores: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for confusion, seizures, severe drowsiness, weakness, a severe headache with a stiff neck, or other sudden neurologic symptoms.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent care for:

    • Eye pain, eye redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or a sore close to the eye
    • Widespread painful blisters, especially on skin affected by eczema
    • Significant trouble eating or drinking, reduced urination, or other signs of dehydration
    • Rapidly worsening swelling, redness, pain, or drainage
    • Possible exposure of a newborn to an active cold sore
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine medical follow-up may be helpful if cold sores are frequent, painful, slow to heal, or interfering with eating, work, sleep, or daily life.

    A clinician can confirm the diagnosis, look for contributing health issues, and discuss an early-treatment or prevention plan.

    Arrange medical assessment if a sore is not improving after about two weeks, repeatedly returns, spreads beyond its usual area, or looks different from earlier outbreaks.

    People who are pregnant, have eczema, or have a weakened immune system should seek advice earlier when symptoms develop.

    Bring this information to a routine appointment.

The article also says

Keeping a simple record of outbreaks may help identify patterns.

Note when tingling began, possible triggers, how long the sore lasted, and whether treatment seemed helpful.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Cold sores. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.