Hi, I Have Never Had A Cold Sore Before, But

Hi,

I have never had a cold sore before, but recently I was exposed to someone with a blistering sore on her lip. We shared a cigarette (bad choice, I know) but I didn't think to much into it and she was careful to not touch her sore with the cigarette at all.

About 10-15 days later, I felt a tingling sensation on a spot on my upper right lip. I was immediately hypersensitive to the fact that I may have contracted HSV 1 and was getting a cold sore. However, I have been researching cold sores and have learned that the tingling only lasts 1-2 days until the sore becomes visible. It has now been 3 days since I felt the first tingle and no sore has appeared but the tingling is not going away. The spot that's tingling also feels a little tight (when I smile, I can just barely feel the skin on my lip pull).

As soon as a felt the first tingle, I purchased Herpecin L and have been rubbing that on frequently. When I look at my lip there is no redness, swelling, nor blister but instead what look like tiny, tiny scratches.

Is it possible that the tingling on my lip is from something else entirely? Or is it really a cold sore that is being fought off by the Herpecin I've been applying. And if so, why am I still feeling the tingling? Is it possible that a cold sore can tingle for 3 days without an actual sore erupting? Should I keep applying the Herpecin until the tingling goes away?