Do I have a cold sore or a pimple?

Question

I have a slight blemish on my cheek. It looks like a pimple, but I tried to pop it and nothing came out. It doesn't hurt and I think it's been on my face for a week or so. Again, it doesn't hurt and when I put water on it, it doesn't hurt. serious answers please.

Answer 1

I would try some topical antibiotic ointment. That will clear up a dozen different things. If its still there and not shrinking after another week i would seriously consult a dermatoligist. Cold sores only last a few days and so do pimples. 2 weeks would suggest something that needs attention.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

It certainly doesn;t sound like a cold sore. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex II virus and would require exposure to that virus through some kind of direct contact, although it can lie dormant for long periods of time and an outbreak often is associated with periods of high stress or depletion of the immune system. I have never seen or heard of a cold sore that was not in the vicinity of the mouth. Usually they are about quarter size, very crusty like a scrape that is first beginning to heal and often the sore is weepy and oozes fluid. What you have may be a blocked pore that has not festered yet and trying tp pop it will only lead to possible scarring and bruising of the area. You don,t give your age but presumably you are a teen. It is important to monitor it regardless as an increasing number of very young people are manifesting skin cancers, or precancerous lesions. If you are fair skinned, then you are at increased danger. Regardless of the ultimate nature of this blemish you should wear a sun block with high spf and one that blocks uv as well. This is true even if you are very dark skinned. The sun of today is not nearly the sun with which I grew up. Ozone depletion has made it much more dangerous. I am not trying to scare you but early prevention and diagnosis are essential to treatment in most things. It is doubtful that this condition is health threatening but it does bear monitoring; if it changes color, shape, size, or continues to persist; I would consult a dermatologist.

Answer 4

cold sores seem to prefer areas of creases (e.g. corners of your mouth, armpit, behind the knee) and mucus membranes (e.g. inside the nose, mouth), but it doesn't mean a virus of the herpes type cannot be found elsewhere. my advice: don't touch it with your hands anymore, clean the area with a cotton swab, keep any makeup or other harsh chemical products off it for now. go to a library or bookstore and find a professional dermatology book. this may scare you more than help you, but if you are interested in self-diagnosing this may be very enlightening. read the information and don't get too caught-up in the freaky pictures of oozing, itchy, swollen body parts (usu. pics of worst case scenarios). if you see no improvement or it seems to be getting worse in the next week go to a professional ASAP. also, pimples come in all shapes and sizes, some with pus/infection, some without. hormonal cystic acne likes to attack with hard, painful nodules that give off only a watery secretion if pinched hard enough. these can take much longer to clear up than the common blackhead and pustule-type blemish. i'd give you more advice if i knew more about you but I hope this helps for now.

Answer 5

It's not a cold sore- cold sores are on the lips. What it sounds more like is a cyst- a hard ball under the skin. There are creams that will help, but depending on how big it is- you might need medical help.

Answer 6

You need to know the difference between the two. Know more about pimples in the link below:

Answer 7

Cold sores occur on lips only.

Answer 8

as you get older, you will find that different things will happen to your body. you may not have had pimples when you were young, but you will can them when you get older.

Answer 9

Maybe it's neither. Maybe it's a big bite. Give it a while longer to heal.

Answer 10

if its on your cheek, then its a pimple.