Eyes & mouth
Herpes labialis (cold sores)
With cold sores, timing matters: what a pharmacist can offer depends partly on how early you come in. Murray Shore Pharmacy in North York prioritizes same-day cold sore assessments so that the window between the first tingle and a full blister is not lost to waiting.
Common signs
- Tingling, itching, or burning at the lip edge before anything is visible
- A cluster of small fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips
- Blisters that break, weep, and then crust over
- Soreness at the same spot where previous cold sores appeared
- An outbreak following sun exposure, illness, or a stressful stretch
See a doctor instead if
- Sores near or in the eye, which need urgent medical attention
- A weakened immune system, from illness or from medications that suppress immunity
- Sores spreading beyond the lip area or unusually large
- A sore that has not healed after two weeks
- Outbreaks so frequent they need a physician's longer-term plan
Any of these sound like you? Call 416-789-1800 and we will point you the right way — or reach Health811 (opens in a new tab) by calling 811.
How the assessment works
Because most people with recurrent cold sores know their own pattern, the assessment starts there: where it appears, how it starts, and crucially, when this episode began. The pharmacist confirms the picture fits herpes labialis rather than something else, and where appropriate an antiviral may be prescribed. If you are still in the tingling stage, tell us when you call 416-789-1800 and we will get you in quickly.
Sources 1, 2Three ways to get started. Do it all from home, or come in.
Start online from your phone, call us, or walk in and ask for the pharmacist. No appointment is needed. When you start online, a pharmacist calls or messages you back to finish the assessment. Prefer email? Write to us.
Frequently asked questions
Plain answers from the pharmacy team. Tap a question to open it.
I just felt the tingle. Should I come in now or wait until the blister shows?
Come in now. The assessment covers exactly when your symptoms started because timing affects what the pharmacist can offer. Waiting for the blister to prove itself works against you.
How is a cold sore different from a canker sore?
Cold sores sit on the outside, on or around the lips, and start as blisters. Canker sores are single ulcers inside the mouth and are not contagious. They are separate conditions with separate assessments, and we handle both.
Can the pharmacist prescribe for a cold sore, or just recommend something off the shelf?
Both are on the table. After the assessment, an antiviral may be prescribed where clinically appropriate; otherwise the pharmacist will point you to suitable non-prescription care and tell you what would change that answer.
I get a cold sore almost every month. Is a pharmacy assessment still worthwhile?
Yes for the current outbreak, and honestly, no as a long-term strategy. Very frequent recurrences deserve a physician's review of ongoing management, and we will document your pattern to support that referral.
Will OHIP pay for the cold sore visit?
The pharmacist assessment is covered by OHIP with a valid Ontario health card. Anything prescribed afterwards goes through your drug insurance or is paid directly, the same as any prescription.
How do I avoid passing my cold sore to other people?
Skip kissing and shared cups, cutlery, towels, and lip products from the first tingle until the sore has fully crusted over, and wash your hands after touching your lip. Be especially careful around newborns, since the virus is far more serious for them.
What triggers cold sores, and can I prevent them?
Common triggers include sun on the lips, stress, illness, and fatigue. A lip balm with sunscreen and attention to your personal pattern can reduce outbreaks, and the assessment reviews your triggers with you.
Can a child be assessed for a cold sore?
Yes, with a parent or guardian present and the child's Ontario health card in hand. Sores near the eye, or a first outbreak with fever and multiple mouth sores in a young child, are referred to a physician instead.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in to 3537 Bathurst Street or call 416-789-1800 to time your visit, which matters more than usual here because early treatment depends on early assessment.
What should I bring to the assessment?
Your Ontario health card, a list of your medications, and anything you have already tried on the sore. If you have had prescription treatment before, the name of that product is worth noting.
What if the sore has not healed after two weeks?
A lip sore that persists beyond two weeks, or one that keeps growing rather than crusting, needs a physician or dentist to look at it. That is a firm referral, and we will help you arrange it.
Sources & further reading
Numbered references, linked from the sections above.
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416-789-1800 Call nowPrefer not to call? Email info@murrayshore.com or visit us at Bathurst & Baycrest.