What symptoms are associated with cold sores?

Just at ulcer site: Cold sores on the lips or near the lips, are usually caused by recurrent oral herpes virus. They start as a slightly raised reddish area, with a bit of numbness & tingling there. Then comes a cluster of tiny blisters, which break open soon, with some pain; leaving a sore (ulcer) to heal up over a week. Sores appear more often when one is under stress or is ill from another illness.

Tingling & pain sore: There is normally a tingling or itchy prodrome, redness to the area that blistering erupts and weeps fluid and finally crusts over.

See below : Go to natdent.Com under info local tenderness with a small “bump” is usually the first sign of a cold sore. This can turn into a blister with increased tenderness. These blisters tend to break and release pus. The adjacent lymph nodes can become swollen and tender.