What Does Herpes Look Like: Pictures, Treatment, And Prevention

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat does herpes look like?

Medically reviewed by Michaela Murphy, PA-C — Written by Amanda Barrell — Updated on April 14, 2025

Appearance
Mouth
Vaginal herpes
Penile herpes
Rectum
Fingers
Eyes
FAQs
Summary

Herpes sores can affect many areas of the body, including the mouth, genitals, and eyes. Herpes sores look like blisters filled with fluid, which can break open and then crust before healing.

Herpes is usually a mild condition that causes small sores to appear on the skin. People develop herpes after exposure to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of this virus:

herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1), or oral herpes, which usually affects the mouth
herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2), or genital herpes, which generally affects the genitals

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can occur on the face or the genitals. People can encounter both herpes viruses through bodily fluids, including genital fluids and saliva.

Once someone has the virus, the symptoms can flare up from time to time for the rest of their life. While the sores can be uncomfortable and even painful, they are not usually dangerous for otherwise healthy adults.

This article will explain what herpes is, how people get it, and what herpes looks like with pictures.

What does herpes look like?

collage image of herpes on the mouth and hands — Design by MNT; Photography by BonNontawat/Shutterstock & Toa55/Shutterstock

Most people with HSV are asymptomatic, meaning they will not experience any symptoms. Others will notice sores or lesions. These sores look like blisters filled with fluid. Over a few days, the sores break open, ooze, and form a crust before healing.

People may also notice a tingling, itching, or burning feeling a few days before the sores appear.

When experiencing herpes symptoms for the first time, some people may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as:

fever
muscle aches

When people contract the herpes virus, they may have their first sores, also known as an initial outbreak. The initial outbreak is typically the most severe and longest-lasting. It may take several weeks to heal fully, although the exact healing time will vary between people.

An outbreak may involve a single sore or a cluster of sores. They often affect the skin around the mouth, the genitals, or the rectum.

The symptoms will usually reappear occasionally, though they do not tend to be as severe as the first time. Symptoms from recurrent episodes typically heal within 7 to 10 days.

The following sections discuss the symptoms of herpes that arise in commonly affected body parts.

Mouth

In oral herpes, most blisters appear on the lips or mouth. They can also form elsewhere on the face, especially around the chin and below the nose or on the tongue.

At first, the sores look similar to small bumps or pimples before developing into fluid-filled blisters. These may be red, yellow, or white. Once they burst, a clear or yellow liquid may run out before the blister develops a yellow crust and heals.

People with oral herpes may experience swollen lymph nodes in the neck during an outbreak.

Vaginal herpes

Some people with genital herpes may develop sores on the vulva, which is the external part of the genitals that includes the outer lips (labia) or inside the vagina. It may be difficult to see sores that develop inside the vagina.

Genital sores vary in size and number, but as with oral herpes, they look like pimples or blisters filled with fluid. They may burst and develop a yellowy crust as they heal.

Genital herpes can cause pain with urination and, often with the first outbreak, swollen lymph nodes in the groin.

Penile herpes

Genital herpes may also develop sores on and around the penis. Small pimples develop into larger, fluid-filled sores that may be red, white, or yellow. Like other forms of herpes, these sores tend to burst before crusting over.

Rectum

Herpes sores can also develop as blisters on the buttocks, around the rectum, or around the anus.

Certain patients can develop anal pain, bleeding, and difficulty with bowel movements.

Fingers

Herpes blisters can also develop on the fingers. This is called herpetic whitlow and is most common in children who suck their thumb.

Herpes can cause one or more sores to develop around the fingernail. A person will often experience pain or a tingling sensation in the area before the sore develops.

If multiple sores appear, they tend to join up and become one large, honeycomb-like blister within a week. They may also spread to the nail bed.

Eyes

Herpes keratitis refers to a herpes infection in the eye. It may affect one or both eyes and causes:

eye pain
sensitivity to light
discharge from the eye

Anyone who suspects herpes keratitis should see a doctor. Without treatment, the infection can scar the eye, leading to cloudy vision or even vision loss.

Frequently asked questions

How does someone know exactly if they have herpes?

A healthcare professional can diagnose someone with herpes and rule out any other health conditions. People should speak with a doctor if they notice symptoms, such as sores around the mouth or genitals.

What bumps can be mistaken for herpes?

People may mistake several conditions and occurrences for herpes, including:

shaving rash

ingrown hairs

other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

allergic reactions

pimples

hemorrhoids

People may mistake several conditions and occurrences for herpes, including:

shaving rash
ingrown hairs
other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
allergic reactions
pimples
hemorrhoids

What does a herpes rash look and feel like?

An initial herpes rash typically presents as a patch of discolored, inflamed skin with blisters. This may be red or pink on light skin tones or purple, brown, or darker than the surrounding area on darker skin tones.Herpes typically feels painful, which can distinguish it from other STIs. People may also notice tingling, burning, or itching before the sores appear.

Herpes typically feels painful, which can distinguish it from other STIs. People may also notice tingling, burning, or itching before the sores appear.

Summary

Herpes is usually a mild skin condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. It causes blister-like sores to appear anywhere on the body. The most commonly affected areas include around the mouth, the genitals, and the buttocks.

There is no cure for HSV, and people who have contracted the virus may experience breakouts from time to time. The sores usually clear up on their own, though people can help treat outbreaks using antiviral medicine, such as:

acyclovir
famciclovir
valacyclovir

These treatments, which are available as pills, can shorten the duration of a herpes outbreak. It may also reduce the risk of transmission.

To avoid transmitting herpes to other people, avoid skin-to-skin contact during flare-ups of symptoms, especially when the sores are open. However, it is possible for HSV-2 to pass between people during periods of no symptoms.

When a person has genital herpes, they can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus by using a condom between outbreaks. People with oral herpes can reduce the risk of transmission by avoiding kissing, sharing tableware, or performing oral sex during an outbreak.

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Sexual Health / STDs

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

About genital herpes. (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/herpes/about/index.html
Herpes simplex. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/herpes-simplex
Herpes simplex virus. (2024). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/herpes-simplex-virus
Herpes simplex virus. (2024).https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/hiv-clinical-guidelines-adult-and-adolescent-opportunistic-infections/herpes-simplex

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Michaela Murphy, PA-C — Written by Amanda Barrell — Updated on April 14, 2025

Latest news

Cognitive decline is often linked to hearing loss: This may be why
AI model may identify high-risk patients for post-transplant complications
Intermittent fasting may not aid weight loss, large review finds
How to stay active beyond exercise: 3 medical experts advise
AI model identifies biomarkers to predict prediabetes risk

Related Coverage

What does eye herpes look like?
The herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores can also affect the eyes. Learn how herpes affects the eyes and what treatments are available to bring…
READ MORE
What to know about genital herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection. It can cause blisters and sores around the genitals and anus, but it may cause no symptoms. This…
READ MORE
What is herpes esophagitis?
Esophagitis is swelling and irritation of the esophagus, and rarely, it results from a herpes infection. Learn more about herpes esophagitis here.
READ MORE
How many people have herpes? What to knowMedically reviewed by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D.
The WHO estimate that close to 67% of the world’s population have oral herpes, or HSV-1, and that about 11% have genital herpes, or HSV-2. Learn more…
READ MORE
What are the symptoms of herpes in women, and when should someone speak with a doctor?Medically reviewed by Valinda Riggins Nwadike, MD, MPH
Herpes is a contagious viral infection that affects more females than males, according to experts. Learn more about the symptoms of herpes in women…
READ MORE

Tag » What Does Genital Herpies Look Like

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us