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Cold sore or chapped lips, how do you tell the difference?

Sometimes I cannot tell if it is a cold sore starting or just chapped lips. A cold sore usually tingles first then blisters in one spot, chapped lips are more all over and dry. How do you tell the difference early?

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2 SteadyWillow50 · 6d ago

If in doubt I protect it either way, dry lips can trigger a flare anyway.

2 AmberMarmot93 · 5d ago

The tingle in one specific spot is my tell for a cold sore.

3 AlpineCedar87 · 5d ago

Chapped lips for me are dry all over, a cold sore is localised.