How to differentiate between a pimple and a cold sore?

I%26#039;m a teen and im pretty sure its a pimple, it%26#039;s inflamated red on the outside and white on the inner part, by my lip, and im scared its a cold sore? Can anyone help?|||Stick a little needle in it and see if pus comes out.





A cold sore hurts much more on the surface where a pimple hurts deeper down inside.|||does it look like a blister or a pimple. also in the next few days hrs even if it is a cold sore it will cont to get larrger. put some carmex on it. if it is a cold sore it will dry up and start to get kinda crusty/scabby. if it is a zit the carmex will make it bigger and closer to being ready to pop. Also, alcohal will cause the pimple to come to a head but will hurt like hell on a cold sore. you can get pimples on you lips. If you have aa cold sore, don%26#039;t kiss anyone and don%26#039;t let anyone drink after you.|||Pimple would be caused by a bacteria. A cold sore would be caused by a herpes virus. Don%26#039;t freak out! Get some Abreva and apply it to the area. The virus that causes cold sores is contagious and there%26#039;s no telling where you got it. At any rate, hope you get better. Godloveya.|||The two can look very similar.





A cold sore (aka Herpes Simplex 2) is often accompanies by a tingling of the area around it. A cold sore can also be accompanied by a flushed, hot feeling. A cold sore often changes size quickly, while a pimple is much slower developing. However, symptoms vary.





Regardless, just leave it alone. Keep the lip clean, cool, dry and sterile (don%26#039;t pop it or touch it). A cold sore will get worse if you irritate it (so will a zit, but you are much more worried about a cold sore). If you have an anti-herpes drug like Xovirax, then take it. Herpes also tends to have a trigger - like diet, stress or your environment. If you know your trigger, try and address the trigger (e.g. stress:go for a walk, diet:eat healtheir, allergies:stay indoors).