Cold sore, swollen gums, swollen under chin?

Question

Okay so I have recently come down with a cold sore due to extreme stress  (not uncommon for me), since the cold sore took form I had a bit of swelling and pain underneath my chin behind my jaw. About 3 days after it started forming my gums have become sore and achy only on the bottom. They have begun to swell on the bottom front because of irritation from food(I had eaten some cereal because it's all I had at the time). I understand this could be gingivitis but it's only a small portion of my gums that hurt.

Answer

I'm very prone to cold sores as well. Usually when they flare up, I notice my gums, and sometimes even my tongue get a little sensitive on the side that the sore is on. I think it's just the infection. What you're feeling under your jaw is most likely a lymph node swollen, as well. Completely normal, we have those to fight off infections, so it being swollen means that it's doing its job. Of course, I'm not a doctor, and this is based solely off of my own personal experience. If it concerns you, or lasts longer than a few days-a week, you should speak with your doctor. :)