Skip to main content

Cold sores are caused by a contagious virus called herpes simplex. There are two types of herpes simplex virus. Type 1 usually causes oral herpes, or cold sores. Type 1 herpes virus infects more than half of the U.S. population by the time they reach their 20s. Type 2 usually affects the genital area.

Some people have no symptoms from the infection. But others develop painful and unsightly cold sores that last for a week or more. Cold sores usually occur outside the mouth on the lips, chin and cheeks, or in the nostrils. When they do occur inside the mouth, it is usually on the gums or the roof of the mouth.

There is no cure for cold sores. Medicines can relieve some of the pain and discomfort associated with the sores. These include ointments that numb the blisters, antibiotics that control secondary bacterial infections and ointments that soften the crusts of the sores.

Our Providers

Our Providers

Sort by
Filter by

Alisha Plotner, MD

4.9 out of 5

Alisha Plotner, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology

Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Spencer Dunaway, MD

4.8 out of 5

Spencer Dunaway, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Dermatology West

(614) 293-1707

Mark Bechtel, MD

4.9 out of 5

Mark Bechtel, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Professor and Chair of Dermatology

Outpatient Care New Albany
Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Outpatient Care New Albany
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Jennifer Sopkovich, MD

4.9 out of 5

Jennifer Sopkovich, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Associate Professor of Dermatology

Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Catherine Ulman, MD

4.9 out of 5

Catherine Ulman, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Outpatient Care New Albany
Dermatology in Outpatient Care New Albany

(614) 293-1707

Jessica Kaffenberger, MD

4.9 out of 5

Jessica Kaffenberger, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology

Dermatology West
Officenter Gahanna
Dermatology in Officenter Gahanna

(614) 293-1707

Patricia Malerich, MD

4.9 out of 5

Patricia Malerich, MD

Dermatology

Physician

Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Outpatient Care Dublin
Dermatology in Outpatient Care Dublin

(614) 293-1707

Our Locations

Sort by

Ohio State Officenter Gahanna

Dermatology

in Officenter Gahanna

540 Officenter Place
Suite 240
Columbus, OH 43230

614-293-1707

Ohio State Dermatology West

Dermatology West

1328 Dublin Road
Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43215

614-293-1707

Ohio State Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Hilliard

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Hilliard

3691 Ridge Mill Drive
Hilliard, OH 43026

614-688-9220

Ohio State Eye and Ear Institute

Plastic Surgery

in Eye and Ear Institute

915 Olentangy River Road
2nd Floor Suite 2140
Columbus, OH 43212

614-293-8566

An error occurred loading stories. Please contact the webmaster at webmaster@osumc.edu.

View all articles on Health & Discovery

Helpful Links

Skin Care (Dermatology)

Subscribe. Get just the right amount of health and wellness in your inbox.