by Laureen Manera

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

WHAT IS A COLD SORE?

Cold sores, which are also sometimes called fever blisters due to their association with erupting during the flu, are small blisters or sores that form on the mouth, lips or nose. Cold sores are usually red, and may ooze a clear fluid before scabbing over and eventually healing. They can be very painful, itchy, and embarrassing. They are also highly contagious, and may last as long as two weeks before they completely heal and go away.

WHAT CAUSES COLD SORES?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus; the same virus that causes genital herpes. Once a person is infected, they have the virus for life. It is incurable, and the infected person often will have periodic recurrences of cold sore outbreaks.

While not the actual cause of cold sores, several things may act as triggers of an outbreak. One of these is overexposure to the sun, especially sunburn. Stress is another possible trigger, as well as colds and flu.

CAN COLD SORES BE AVOIDED?

There is not much you can do to avoid cold sores, especially once you've been infected by the virus. However, there are things you can do to lessen the likelihood of an outbreak.

1. Avoid close or intimate contact with an infected person. This includes sharing of personal items such as eating utensils, cups, razors, or tooth brushes.

2. Use sunscreen or sun block and wear a wide-brimmed hat to avoid ultraviolet radiation exposure when outdoors. Lip balm should also be used, as injury to the lips, such as chapping, may also trigger an outbreak.

3. Certain vitamin supplements, especially Vitamin C, may help in avoiding outbreaks, as well as helping to heal sores already present.

4. Avoid colds and flu, since the sores are often associated with them.

5. Avoid stress as much as possible.

SO WHAT CAN I DO IF I ALREADY HAVE COLD SORES?

There are not a whole lot of treatments available for cold sores, as they are rarely severe enough to require medical attention; but some remedies and medications may help with discomfort.

Applying ice directly on a sore sometimes eases pain or itching. Tea bags likewise have been reported as helping, due to an agent in the tea leaves.

Herbal supplements such as sage or lemon oil have been used as well.

Vaseline or other petroleum jelly applied on a sore is another home remedy that helps promote healing.

Likewise, there are many over-the-counter creams and ointments that can soothe and ease pain or burning and itching.

Prescription medications, in both pill and cream forms, are also available.

To avoid spreading the virus to other parts of your body, do not touch your sores if possible. Wash your hand any time you touch your face during an outbreak. Avoid close contact with others while infected so not to spread the virus to other people.

While there is no cure for cold sores, you can learn to live with the virus if you use common sense and reasonable care.

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