What Are Cold Sores?
Cold sores, also known by the medical term herpes labialis, are painful blisters that usually appear near the mouth and lips. Herpes labialis is a highly contagious form of herpes simplex virus 1. It is common for someone to be a carrier of the herpes simplex 1 virus. In fact, according to a fact sheet from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, most of the United States population has been infected with the virus by the time they are 20 years old. Cold sores are also referred to as fever blisters, but should not be confused with canker sores, as canker sores are not contagious.
Infection occurs when you make contact with another infected person, either through direct physical contact, such as kissing, or through sharing utensils or straws. When first infected with the virus, it often causes no symptoms and the virus lives dormant in nerve tissues in the face. Once the virus is triggered by environmental or physiological factors, it reactivates and cold sores appear. They can reappear in the same location each time, or move around the mouth and face.
What Triggers an Eruption of the Cold Sore Virus?
The cold sore virus can lay dormant for weeks or months, until it is activated by a trigger. The Mayo Clinic states that some of these triggers can be external, such as prolonged sun exposure, or internal, such as hormonal changes during menstruation, stress, or a weakened immune system that accompanies a cold or fever. While cold sores associated with herpes simplex 1 virus are generally found on the mouth or face, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that they can also appear in the genital area if there is contact with the active virus.
After the first cold sore flare-up, subsequent flare-ups are often milder. Often you will feel a tingling sensation where the cold sore is trying to reappear.
Treatment
While cold sores will go away on their own, usually within 2 weeks, there are measures you can take to relieve the discomfort associated with an outbreak. Apply cold compresses several times a day to reduce the inflammation of the skin. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin (if over 16) or ibuprofen can relieve pain as well as inflammation. If your discomfort is severe and your outbreaks are frequent, see your doctor and ask about taking an antiviral medicine. Antiviral medicines can help prevent and shorten the time of flareups. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the cold sore to help prevent outside bacteria from infecting the sore.
Prevention
Never share a straw, eating utensils, cups or razors with someone if you or she has a cold sore. If she is prone to cold sores, but one is not active, you can still be infected with the virus. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and when you are in it wear a protective sunscreen on your lips and face. Find a way to relax when you are under stress. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends washing your face and hands often and keeping the area of your active cold sore clean to prevent the virus from spreading to other areas of the skin.
