Herpes blisters are a sign of infection with the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, known simply as type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 and HSV-2 both cause herpes blisters to form around the affected area, typically the genitals or mouth. Herpes blisters also exhibit the same characteristics regardless of where they form. When you have an active outbreak and blisters are present, it is easy to pass on the virus, so sufferers should refrain from genital-genital, oral-genital, and oral-oral (in cases of oral herpes only) contact until a few days after the blisters have healed.
Warning Signs
When a herpes outbreak is about to occur, you will usually experience some warning signs in the affected area. Oral herpes blisters can occur inside the mouth (cheeks, gums, front of the tongue), on the lips, or on the face, chin or neck. Genital herpes blisters can form in the vaginal area, cervix, external genitals, buttocks or anus in women, and on the penis, scrotum, buttocks, anus, thighs or inside the urethra in men. Symptoms signifying the onset of a herpes outbreak include pain, tingling or itching in one of these areas. This is often accompanied by unusual redness or swelling.
Ulceration
When herpes blisters form, they fill with a clear, whitish or red liquid. Soon after, the tops of the blisters come off, leaving the area feeling wet, raw, tender and painful to the touch. Those whose sores are in the genital area may experience painful burning when urinating while the herpes blisters are in this stage. These ulcerated sores may remain this way for days or weeks, depending upon whether it is an initial or recurring outbreak (recurrent outbreaks are usually shorter in duration). You might note a single, small herpes blister or a cluster of small ulcerated blisters.
Dry Crust
When the herpes blisters begin to heal, a scab or dry crust begins to form over the wet ulceration. As it dries out, new skin forms underneath the crust. Eventually, the crust falls off when the area is completely healed. The new skin may be slightly discolored, reddish or look otherwise different from the other skin around it.
Associated Physical Symptoms
People experiencing an initial genital herpes outbreak may also have other physical symptoms that accompany the herpes blisters. It is common to develop flu-like symptoms, including muscle aches, fever, headache and swollen lymph nodes in the groin area. These symptoms are less commonly seen in recurrent outbreaks.
