Is it normal to develop cold sores on or in my nose?

Can a cold sore appear on or in the nose?

When the cold sore virus is activated, it typically moves along the nerves to the surface of the lips, causing at first a faint tingling, and then a cold sore. 

It is quite unusual, but occasionally they can appear in other places including the nose.

In many cases there isn’t any particular reason for this, it’s just where the dormant virus has come to the surface.

However, if your nasal passages are weakened for any reason then this could be why the cold sore has appeared there. If you’ve recently had a cold or suffer from allergies and have been blowing your nose a lot, then this can damage the nasal passages and the outside of the nose and make them more vulnerable to damage. Plus, low immunity could also be having a part to play. If you are keen to understand what the signs of a strong immune system are, then you can check out our recent blog on this topic here.

Chemical nasal sprays can also damage the nasal passages if you use them excessively, so keep an eye on how often you’re using these. You might want to consider swapping to a gentler alternative such as our Sinuforce Nasal Spray or Luffa Nasal Spray for hayfever.

How to treat a cold sore on the nose

The good news is that you can treat a cold sore in or on your nose in much the same way as you’d treat one on your lip.

You should also make sure to eat lots of healthy foods in order so support the immune system more generally, especially brightly coloured fruits and vegetables that will contain lots of vitamin C. You can also take our own vitamin C supplement, Nature-C to boost your intake. 

Could it be something else?

Excessive nose blowing or use of nasal spray could simply cause a cut or sore in the nose that could look a bit like a cold sore. This should heal on its own if you leave it alone.

If you’re at all worried about the sore in your nose, make an appointment with your GP.