Does herpes look like a pimple? Well, yes, and no. In the beginning phases, when the red dots just start appearing, it can look quite similar to pimples. But after a while it becomes obvious just how different the two are. Pimples usually look like small indentations on the skin, and are sometimes filled with a white substance right in the middle of them. If they’re black in the center, it’s not a pimple but actually a pore that’s been clogged up. Clogged up pores look pretty similar to pimples as well.
Herpes blisters, however, become larger than both pimples and clogged pores, and are filled with a clear liquid pus. After they’ve matured, they usually crust over and fall off. Another difference from pimples and pores is that herpes blisters are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as fevers, pains or muscle soreness. You can check out the herpes diagnosis page for more information on the lifecycle of the herpes virus.