Cold Sores

Cold sores and herpes are very similar, both forming sores or blisters and causing itching, burning, or tingling in the affected area.

They’re so similar because they’re caused by the same virus, which is called herpes simplex.

The herpes virus doesn’t have a cure, but it’s harmless and if you catch it it will just live in one area of your skin, usually around your mouth or genitals, and make itself known every so often.

Herpes simplex is very contagious when you have sores or blisters, so you’ll have to be very careful not to pass it on to anyone else during a flare-up.

It’s passed on through skin-to-skin contact, such as kissing or during sex, so it’s vital that you take notice when you think you’re about to get herpes sores and take the necessary precautions to keep the virus from spreading to someone else.

Cold sores are small blisters that usually appear on your lips, although they can appear anywhere on the face.

They are often grouped together and appear on or around your lips due to the herpes simplex virus.

Cold sores are caused by a virus that lives in your skin, flaring up every so often to form itchy, contagious blisters.

When this blister bursts, the cold sore will scab over, usually disappearing in a couple of weeks without leaving a scar.

They’re very contagious and can be spread by close contact like kissing or sharing cutlery.

When you have the virus you can get a cold sore at any time, although you may find that some things, like illnesses or your period, can cause flare-ups.

Cold sores are harmless, although they can feel itchy, burning, and irritating, and they’ll usually clear up on their own within 10 days.

However, if your cold sores are very large, painful, or keep coming back, you may benefit from a prescription treatment like aciclovir to help keep them under control.

Yes, cold sores are very contagious and are spread through close contact like kissing, oral sex or sharing cutlery.

Even when your cold sore scabs over, it will still be contagious, but it’s at its highest in the blister form when it’s wet and oozing.

You should refrain from touching your cold sore (apart from when you’re applying treatments) and avoid close contact with others to avoid spreading the virus onto surfaces and to other people.

Cold sores are usually harmless to older children, but they can be very dangerous to babies as they’re immune systems aren’t fully developed.

If you’re a caregiver with a cold sore, it’s vital that you do not kiss or share things such as spoons and cups with your baby - but don’t worry, the virus cannot be transmitted via breast milk.

If you think your baby has a cold sore, they will need medical assistance immediately as the consequences can be severe.

Some benzocaine products can be used to soothe pain and irritation caused by cold sores, but others are better at easing mouth ulcers, toothache, and other oral pain.

If you experience cold sores and are looking for a way to ease the irritation caused by them, then you should ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a product that’s going to be most effective for you.

If you’re looking for a lip balm that can provide relief for your cold sore, it will need to contain a natural analgesic like menthol.

If you want to get rid of your cold sore fast, find a lip balm that contains docosanol, an antiviral agent which treats the cold sore when it’s in its early stages to stop it in its tracks.