Blistering on nose?? Help!

May 10, 2014

Claire G.

Okay, so on my nose a few days ago I noticed bumps developing. They were small and red and on the bottom of my nose. Now, they look like blisters and have a yellow tint with redness. They were "oozing" a yellowy liquid and they hurt. I didn't burn, and I haven't used any new products. What are they and how can I get rid of them??

May 10, 2014

M G.

It could be cold soars like the one you get around the mouth. Try abreva, don't poke at it if you do use germX to prevent spreadn it and take Lysin daily to avoid frm gettn em agin.

May 10, 2014

Alexia W.

Have you got a photo.

May 10, 2014

Emily W.

That definitely sounds like a cold sore (herpes simplex virus I). It is a virus that lives in the nerves under the skin, and will cause outbreaks of blistering sores. It isn't particularly dangerous, more of a nuisance because of the pain, itching, and brief oozing. The HSV-I variety generally appears around the mouth (chin, lips) or nose. It causes small blisters that later crust (that is the yellow you are seeing) and then scab. They may itch or burn. Usually before the outbreak starts, there is a tingle that acts a warning.

Nearly 97% of adults in the USA are infected with the HSV-I form of the virus, though many do not experience outbreaks. This is not the same as genital herpes (HSV-II) though they can cross-infect (meaning you can transmit this to a partner via oral-genital contact and vice versa). It is highly contagious, and can be spread even in the absence of symptoms (viral shedding occurs at random times and has no visible effects). Always wash your hands before touching another part of your body (especially the eyes or your genitals, as those are the easiest locations to self-infect; though it is rare).

There is no cure, unfortunately. You can use topical products such as Abreva to reduce the severity and lessen the symptoms. Medically, there is little evidence of lysine having any effect on cold sores. Most of the time, they heal themselves in a few days to a week. Keep it clean, and treat it like a wound (it basically is). Opportunistic infections will take advantage of the broken skin if you aren't careful.

If you find that you start getting outbreaks frequently (I used to get them on my chin every month, ugh) there is a prescription drug called Valtrex (generic: acyclovir or valacyclovir) that can help prevent outbreaks.

It is annoying and a little unsightly, but nothing to be embarrassed about. Tons of people get them. Hopefully yours will go away quickly (when I get them on my nose they seem to heal faster than on my chin, so maybe that will be the case for you).

May 11, 2014

Claire G.

It's very ugly. And it hurts a lot! Thank you for so much information, I hope it's gone in time for prom :/

May 11, 2014

Emily W.

The ones on my nose usually heal within a day or so without intervention. On my chin, they take up to a week without any treatment. Abreva is great for reducing the pain/itching and helping it heal a little faster, though it is kind of pricey. They also make little patches that stick on like band aids to cover the sore so you can wear makeup without contaminating the wound. I don't know how well they would work around the nose though.

Speaking of makeup: never share makeup with anyone (I know this is generally applied to everyone just for hygiene reasons but it is especially true for those of us with cold sores). Herpes is a persistent virus, and sometimes sanitizing products won't completely kill the contamination. Usually 90% alcohol will sanitize products, but it is better to be cautious. Same goes with sharing drinks, eating utensils, basically anything that touches your face. Most people are already infected (typically people are infected as children through contact with older relatives) but you never know until you get an outbreak.

I'm not trying to say that we need to behave like lepers, but it is nice to try and stop transmission if we can (even if it is generally a futile battle).

TLDR: Unless your prom is today or tomorrow, it will most likely be gone or gone enough not to notice. :)

May 11, 2014

Elizabeth F.

Hi, Claire!

I completely agree with all the great information Emily just gave you, but just want to add one more point.

I you have an outbreak on your nose - particularly the tip of your nose - be very aware of your eye health. Like Emily said, this infection travels along major nerve pathways and it just so happens that one of the major nerve groups that goes to the muscles surrounding you eyes also travels out to your nose.

It is entirely possible to get herpes simplex on the surface of your eyes and, if left untreated, it can cause scarring and damage to your vision. So, if you start to notice that the vision in one of your eyes seems blurrier than usual, definitely get yourself in to see an ophthalmologist.

May 11, 2014

Claire G.

Thank you so much. Is there any reason this just showed up? I've never had a cold sore before, but my mom gets them due to stress, so could that be it?

May 11, 2014

Emily W.

Could be stress, could be that your immune system is down for some reason (have you been sick or had allergies recently?), could be no reason at all. It is a fickle virus.

I got my first outbreak at age 4, after playing in some used makeup that a friend's aunt gave us for dress-up games. Ever since then it flares up when the weather changes, if I am really stressed, or if I have been sick. I take Valacyclovir to keep them at bay, but that is because they used to happen all the time.

Elizabeth is right, I didn't even think about that. Generally herpes doesn't "travel" like a parasite would, but yes be aware of possible infection in the eye. I've seen that before, it is downright nasty.

May 11, 2014

Claire G.

I have a slight cold, I didn't think that could bring cold sores though.. Weird. I want to cover it, but would it be more beneficial to leave it alone? thank you both so much for your info.

May 12, 2014

Emily W.

Try to leave it alone as much as possible. The less it is disturbed, the faster it will heal and the less likely it will get infected or scar.