If you do touch it for some reason, says Dr. Bihova, you should wash your hands immediately afterward. Stay with your stick. Because the herpes virus is so easily transferred, be sure that you never borrow someone else's lipstick, says Dr. Bihova. For the same reason, you should never lend your lipstick to anyone else. Don't pooh-pooh a white patch.
Cold sores look ugly, but they soon go away.
There's a chance that this could be a sign of lip cancer. In the early stages it's just slightly whiter. So if you do see some white amongst the nice rosy red of your lips, you should call your physician. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor.