Where do cold sores usually appear?

Cold sores are usually confined to the mouth area (particularly on and around the lip).
Less commonly, cold sores can occur on other facial areas such as above the mouth, the nose, nostrils, cheek or chin.

Cold sores can also appear on the fingers, this is referred to as 'Herpes Witlow'.
Cold sores do not usually occur inside the mouth, however if they do, it is most likely on the gums or hard palette (roof of the mouth).

If the lesion appears inside the mouth, especially on the soft tissue, it is most likely to be a canker sore, not a cold sore. When cold sores reoccur they will typically appear in the same location that they did during previous outbreaks.