What Does Herpes Look Like?
Herpes can easily be mistaken for something else – a pimple, shaving bump, or just a bit of irritation down below. But, without knowing what to look out for, you could easily pass an HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection onto someone else. In this blog, our sexual health experts share how you can spot a herpes infection, both on the mouth and genital region, and what to do next. So, let’s get started, what does herpes look like?
A herpes outbreak usually presents itself as one, or a cluster of, bumps either around the mouth, on the lips, or in the genital region. They usually start out looking like small spots but develop into blisters filled with clear fluid. They may burst and develop a crust before going away.
Read on to learn how herpes looks different on the mouth or genitals, if herpes has an odour, and what to do if you suspect you have an infection.
What Does Herpes Look Like On the Mouth?
You probably know what herpes on the mouth looks like already – it is simply a cold sore! AKA, one, or a few, small blisters that appear on the lips or around the mouth, which look similar to fluid-filled pimples. They can also occur inside the mouth, on the gums, or on the roof of the mouth.
The blisters may be accompanied by some redness and can form scabs or dry skin once the blisters burst and begin the healing process. This can last from 1-2 weeks following an outbreak. Before the blisters appear, many people experience a tingling, itching, or burning sensation around the mouth which is a sign that an outbreak may occur.
I Haven’t Had Sex – Is My Cold Sore Still Herpes?
Many people don’t realise that a cold sore is actually herpes simplex virus 1 (also called HSV-1) which is a milder form of a herpes infection. This isn’t typically transmitted via sexual contact, as it can be caught simply by coming into contact with the virus.
For a lot of people, the virus is caught as a young child. Parents or relatives who have cold sores can unintentionally transmit the virus to children by kissing them or through close contact.
If you’d like to learn oral herpes different to genital herpes, check out one of our helpful blogs: HSV-1 vs HSV-2: What’s The Difference?
What Does Herpes Look Like On the Genitals?
A herpes outbreak on the genital region (also known as HSV-2) looks very similar to herpes on the mouth – small, fluid-filled blisters that eventually break open and leave a scab. It may be accompanied by some redness, tingling, or itching. These fluid-filled blisters can appear anywhere within the genital region, including on the:
- Upper thighs
- Buttocks
- Penis shaft & tip
- Foreskin
- Scrotum
- Perineum
- Labia
- Mons pubis
- Vaginal opening
If you’d like to learn more about what else to expect during a herpes outbreak, and other signs that may accompany the red blisters, read our recent blog: What Are the Symptoms Of Genital Herpes?
What Does Genital Herpes Look Like When It Starts?
Before developing into fluid-filled blisters, herpes appears as small, red bumps in the genital region. This may be accompanied by tingling or itching and may be confused for irritation, ingrown hairs, or a shaving rash on some people.
What Can Herpes Be Confused For?
Bumps in the genital region are very common but can be caused by a number of things that aren’t the herpes virus. These include, but are not limited to:
- Razor bumps
- Ingrown hairs
- Spots/pimples
- Yeast infections
- Allergic reactions (like contact dermatitis, hives, or eczema)
- Bug bites
Learn more in our recent blog: What Can Be Mistaken For Herpes?
If you have unusual bumps down below, you must get tested, even if they look like ingrown hairs or razor bumps. Otherwise, you risk unknowingly passing the infection to someone else. To find a sexual health clinic near you, visit our Clinics By City page.
Does Herpes Have an Odour?
The blisters or sores caused by herpes (whether oral or genital) don’t generally produce a smell, particularly when around the mouth. However, in some cases of genital herpes, the infection could result in an odour that may be described as “fishy” in women.
To learn more about which STDs can cause an unusual odour in your genital region, read our helpful blog: Is It Normal for Vaginal Odour to Change with an STD?
Test For Herpes With Your Sexual Health
If you have spotted small, fluid-filled blisters around your mouth or on your genital region, you must get tested for herpes. But, getting tested for herpes through the NHS is easier said than done, which is why we’d recommend going private.
Here at Your Sexual Health, we have 150+ private sexual health clinics located up and down the UK, as well as offering discreet postal testing services. Plus, not only can we test for current herpes outbreaks (i.e. if you have open sores) but we can offer blood tests to detect any previous outbreaks.
To get started, visit our ‘Tests’ or ‘Clinics’ page, or get in touch with a member of our team for help.
