Not for emergencies. Call 911 for medical emergencies or 811 for non-urgent health advice.

OntarioVirtual Pharmacist

Cold sores (herpes labialis)

Tingling before a blister on the lip? Antiviral creams or oral antivirals started early shorten the outbreak.

  • Seen within 1 hour
  • Free delivery
  • Free with OHIP

Common symptoms

  • Tingling or burning before blister
  • Clustered blisters on or near lips
  • Crusting as they heal

When we'll refer you instead

If any of these apply, we send you to the right care instead — no charge, no wait.

  • Immunocompromised
  • Infant under 1 year
  • Spread inside the mouth or to eyes

Other conditions we treat