How can I tell the difference between herpes vs chapped lips?

When you look at your lips, there are some clear signs to help you tell if it's herpes or just chapped lips. Herpes, often known as cold sores, begins with a tingling or burning feeling around the lip area. Soon after, small, blister-like bumps appear, sometimes in small groups. These bumps are filled with fluid, can be painful, and later form a crust as they heal. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, and they often come back even after healing. On the other hand, chapped lips are usually caused by dryness, cold weather, wind, or frequent licking. They look dry, cracked, or peeling, and they don't generally hurt or have a blister phase. Chapped lips might feel uncomfortable but they don't have the sudden pain or the clear clustered blisters seen with herpes. If you're ever unsure about your symptoms, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights, or talk with a healthcare professional for the right care.