by Len Rogers

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

Often it's like a pin prick on the lips. Men may feel they've nicked themselves shaving. Almost before you can do anything about it, herpes labialis has reared its ugly head you've got a cold sore. It's also known as fever blister, oral herpes, labial herpes, and herpes febrilis. Whatever, they give discomfort and erupt at the most inconvenient times.

A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister caused by a herpes simplex virus infection that usually appears at the edge of the lips. Of the eight different kinds of human herpes viruses, only two cause these painful and unsightly eruptions on the lips and occasionally on the genitals. Oral herpes is by far the more common and it is estimated that well over half the population have had a cold sore. Most people become infected during childhood and once infected by herpes virus, which is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, it remains latent for life.

Viruses are different from bacteria, which are independent and can reproduce on their own. Viruses enter human cells and usually kill them then reproduce releasing thousands of new viruses. The cell death and resulting tissue damage causes the actual cold sores.

It is not known precisely what triggers latent virus to activate and quite diverse conditions precede their emergence including stress, illness, fatigue, tiredness, cold weather, sunlight, menstruation, fever, and diet.

The most efficacious method of dealing with cold sores is immediately the pinprick is felt in the lips, to apply aciclovir cream 5%, (marketed under the trade name of Zovirax), five times a day. If caught in time, the cold sore is stopped in its tracks.

Aciclovir is an antiviral medicament used to treat certain viral infections. It prevents the production of viral genetic material (DNA), which is required for the reproduction and survival of the virus. It does not itself kill the virus, but prevents it from reproducing so that smaller numbers are present. This permits the body's immune system more easily to overcome the virus.

Also available is the Bio-Stick, a personal device for the treatment of cold sores. It is based on the phototherapy principle of treatment using light. It emits a low power non-heated red light and does not hurt or burn the skin. The light waves increase the flow of blood to the affected area and stimulate the immune cells, thus rapidly increasing the healing time of the sore. Bio-Stick can be used safely alongside other oral cold sore medications.

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