Do cold sores heal faster if popped? do doctors advise popping them or leaving them alone? just want to know if cold sores should be left alone to heal, or pop them and remove the liquid?

Leave alone. : There is one theory that if you injure a chronic sore it will become an acute lesion and heal faster. I think it just makes it irritated and painful popping the bubble(vesicles) leaks the contagious fluid which could infect your eye, open breaks in skin, or others. A better solution is to talk to dentist who can prescribe med (valtrex) which taken at first sign will lead to quick healing.