A cold sore typically looks like a cluster of tiny, fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips. These blisters are often grouped together in patches and surrounded by red, inflamed skin. The blisters eventually break open, ooze fluid, and then crust over to form a scab before healing. The entire healing process usually takes about 7 to 10 days, but the first outbreak can last up to 2 to 3 weeks. Cold sores may also appear near the nose, cheeks, or chin in some cases

. Common visual characteristics of cold sores include:

• Small, painful blisters filled with clear or yellowish fluid
• Red, swollen, and inflamed skin around the blisters
• Blisters that merge and burst, leaving shallow open sores
• Crusting and scabbing as the sores heal

Cold sores often start with a tingling, itching, or burning sensation on the lip area before the blisters appear