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Cold Sore Doctor Online for Painful and Repeat Outbreaks

Cold sores are painful, tingly blisters around the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus. They tend to come back. In a cold sore consult, a GP can assess the sore over video, talk through options at the first tingle, and plan for repeat outbreaks.

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Discuss common concerns like hair thinning, scalp issues, or skin changes. Our doctors listen and guide you through possible options based on your individual needs.

Cold Sores Oral Herpes Blisters GP Support

Important Information

Our doctors provide assessment and treatment when clinically appropriate. This service is not for emergencies.
If you are in urgent need of help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 000 in an emergency.

Cold sores come from a virus that hides in your nerves

A cold sore is a small cluster of fluid-filled blisters, usually on the lip, caused by the herpes simplex virus. Most people catch it in childhood. The virus then sits quietly in the nerves until something like strong sun or a bad cold wakes it up, often in the same spot. Through oral sex, it can also cause genital herpes.

Your first ever outbreak, especially with a fever or mouth ulcers Sores keep coming back, or they're getting bigger. More than one sore, or blisters spreading across your face

Booking at the first tingle gives you more options

On a call, the GP looks at the sore and asks how often outbreaks happen and what sets them off. It helps to book early. As the Better Health Channel's cold sore page explains, most people feel itching or tingling a day or two before a sore appears, usually in the same place as last time.

Cold sore treatment review at the first tingle, plus a plan for frequent outbreaks if your GP agrees

Testing: a swab test referral for blister fluid when the doctor can't be sure it's herpes

A medical certificate for a rough first outbreak or a child sent home from care, once you've been assessed.

Keep cold sores away from babies until the scab has healed

Cold sores are most infectious while the blister is forming and weeping, though saliva can carry the virus when nothing shows. Babies are the main worry. Skip kisses and face-to-face cuddles with newborns until your sore has healed, as a first infection can be severe at that age.

Hands washed after touching the sore, always before you pick up a baby

Cups, bottles, lip balm and towels stay yours until it heals.

Childcare: SA Health's cold sore advice keeps young children home while a sore is weeping if they can't manage good hygiene

A daylight close-up of your lip helps the GP read the sore

Small blisters blur on video. Before the call, take a close-up of your lip by a window, and keep your phone torch handy for a second look during the consult.

The day the tingle started, and when blisters appeared

How many outbreaks you've had this year. A rough count is fine.

Other health issues: anything that lowers immunity, eczema, or a pregnancy

Medicines you already take, pharmacy ones included

Cold sores that are too risky for telehealth

Phone and video care suit healthy teens and adults with a typical lip sore. Some cases can't wait. A sore near the eye, a newborn with blisters, or very low immunity from chemotherapy or an organ transplant needs urgent in-person care.

A sore on or near your eye, or a red, painful eye with blurred vision: emergency department or same-day in-person GP

A baby kissed by someone with a cold sore who now has blisters, fever or poor feeding. Go to an emergency department.

Anyone on chemotherapy or with a transplant who gets a cold sore needs an in-person GP today.

Severe headache, confusion, a stiff neck or a seizure: call 000

Most cold sores settle at home, with a review for repeat outbreaks

Certificates and prescriptions arrive digitally once issued. The sore usually crusts and heals. Book a follow-up if one is still open after a fortnight or outbreaks keep stacking up, so the GP can set a longer-term plan. The Prime Medic booking steps are the same for follow-ups.

Pus, spreading redness or a fever point to infection and need a GP soon.