What Causes Cold Sores
Cold sores also known as fever blisters, are small, fluid-filled lesions that typically appear on or around the lips, but can also be inside the mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), most commonly HSV-1. Once a person is infected, the virus remains in the body and can reactivate due to triggers like stress, physical trauma, illness, fatigue, sun exposure, or hormonal changes. Cold sores are very contagious, especially when the blisters are present, and can be spread through close personal contact, such as kissing, sharing drinks or utensils or direct contact with the sore—even when no visible sores are present.
Can They Be Diagnosed?
To see if you have the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes cold sores, your doctor may simply examine the cold sore or may take a culture from it. The doctor may also test blood for antibodies to the virus.
A positive antibody test only proves that you have the virus; it does not indicate whether or not the virus is active or when you may have acquired it.
Precautions
- Wash your hands after touching a cold sore.
- Don't rub your eyes after touching your cold sore; you could develop an ocular herpes infection, which may lead to blindness if left untreated.
- Don't touch your genitals after touching your cold sore; you could develop genital herpes.
- Replace your toothbrush.
- Don't kiss someone who has a cold sore or use that person's utensils, towels, or razors.
- Apply sunscreen to the face and lips before prolonged exposure to the sun.
- Replace your lipstick or lip balm.
Treatment
You can't cure HSV or a cold sore, but you can alleviate the pain it causes by avoiding spicy or acidic foods, applying ice, and using over-the-counter remedies.
When you feel the first signs of a cold sore—usually a tingling, burning, or itching sensation—it's best to act quickly. Look for medicines that contain numbing agents such as phenol and menthol to reduce cracking and soften scabs.
Applying over-the-counter topical remedy like Abrea (antiviral cream docosanol at an early stage can shorten the duration of the outbreak and minimize pain. Abreva is It must be used many times a day to speed the healing.
If you have frequent or severe cold sores, a doctor may prescribe oral antiviral medications such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, which work best when taken as soon as symptoms start.
While the cold sore heals (usually in 7–10 days), avoid picking at the scab or using harsh skincare products on the area. Use a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If the sore becomes very painful, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Prevention
To prevent future outbreaks, it’s helpful to know your triggers and try to manage them. This might mean using sunscreen on your lips, managing stress, getting enough sleep, or boosting your immune system with a healthy lifestyle. While you can’t get rid of the virus entirely, these steps can reduce how often cold sores appear and how severe they are.
