Are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are red, fluid-filled
blisters that form near the mouth or on other areas of the face. In rare cases,
cold sores may appear on the fingers, nose, or inside the mouth. They are
usually clumped together in patches. Cold sores may persist for two weeks or
Cold sores are caused by a common
virus called herpes simplex. They can spread from person to person through
close contact, such as kissing. The sores are contagious even when they aren’t
There’s no cure for cold sores,
and they may return without warning. Certain medications can be used to treat
cold sores and prevent them from coming back.
Causes Cold Sores?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of the herpes simplex
virus. The herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) usually causes cold sores, and the
herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) typically causes genital herpes. The actual
sores are similar in appearance for both forms of the virus. It’s possible for HSV-1
to cause sores on the genitals and for HSV-2 to cause sores on the mouth.
However, this is very rare.
Visible cold sores are
contagious, but they may be spread even when they can’t be seen. You can get the
herpes simplex virus by coming in contact with infected individuals. This may
happen through kissing, sharing cosmetics, or sharing food. Oral sex may spread
both cold sores and genital herpes.
Once you catch the herpes simplex
virus, it can’t be cured. Even after the sores have healed, the virus remains
dormant in your body. This means that new sores can appear at any time. Some people
with the virus report more frequent outbreaks when their immune systems are
weak, such as during illness or times of stress.
a Cold Sore
You may notice a tingling or
burning sensation on your lips or face several days before a cold sore develops.
Once the sore forms, you’ll see a raised, red blister full of fluid. It will
usually be painful and tender to the touch. There may be more than one sore present.
The cold sore will remain for at
least two weeks and will be contagious until it crusts over. Your first cold
sore may not appear for up to 20 days after you contract the herpes simplex
You may also experience one or
more of the following symptoms during an outbreak:
- muscle aches
Touching your cold sore before
touching your eyes can cause eye infections. You should call your doctor
immediately if you develop an eye infection during a cold sore outbreak. Infections
caused by the herpes simplex virus can lead to permanent vision loss when
they’re not treated promptly.
Associated with Cold Sores
The initial infection of herpes
simplex can cause more severe symptoms and complications, as your body hasn’t
built up a defense to the virus yet. Complications are rare, but can occur,
especially in young children. Call your doctor immediately if you’re
experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- high or
breathing or swallowing
- red, irritated
eyes with or without discharge
Complications are more likely to
occur in people who have eczema or a condition that weakens their immune
system, such as cancer or AIDS. If you do have any of these conditions, contact
your doctor if you think you’ve contracted the herpes simplex virus.
There’s no cure for cold sores,
but some people with the herpes simplex virus rarely have outbreaks. When cold
sores do develop, there are several ways to treat them.
Ointments and Creams
When cold sores become
bothersome, you may be able to control pain and promote healing with antiviral ointments,
such as penciclovir (Denavir). Ointments tend to be most effective if they’re applied
when a sore first appears. They will need to be applied four to five times per
day for four to five days.
Docosanol (Abreva) is another treatment option. It’s an over-the-counter
cream that can shorten an outbreak by anywhere from a few hours to a day. The
cream must be applied several times per day.
Cold sores can also be treated
with oral antiviral medications, such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir). These drugs are available by prescription only. Your
doctor may instruct you to take antiviral medications regularly if you’re
experiencing complications with cold sores or if your outbreaks are frequent.
Symptoms may be eased by applying
ice or washcloths soaked in cold water over the sores. Alternative treatments
for cold sores include taking lysine supplements or using lip balm containing
Cold Sores from Spreading
To prevent spreading cold sores
to other people, you should wash your hands often and avoid skin contact with
others. Make sure you don’t share items that touch your mouth, such as lip balm
and food utensils, with other people during an outbreak. It’s also important to
avoid touching your eyes and genitals while cold sores are present. The herpes
simplex virus can cause eye infections and genital herpes.