What is a Cold Sore?
We’ve explored how to avoid cold sores, what triggers them and how you can live cold-sore free. We decided it was time to return to the fundamentals, and explain the basics of cold sores, what causes them and where they come from. Read below to learn more about what is a cold sore.
Cold sores, otherwise known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that reside around the mouth and lips. The skin around the cold sore, or sometimes called fever blisters, is often red and sore, and after several days, will break and scab over. A cold sore outbreak can last up to 2 weeks. Many can be confused about a cold sore’s similarity to a pimple. One of the first steps is determining if it is a cold sore or a pimple.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There’s two types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both virus types can cause cold sores.
The herpes virus first enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when a person touches a cold sore or comes into contact with infected blister-fluid. This can happen by sharing:
- Utensils
- Razors
- Kissing
- Touching Saliva
A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to their children at some point, meaning many children grow up dealing with cold sores. Additionally, those who are infected should take care when dealing with cold sores and pregnancy.
While some people have the virus, their lifestyle or immune system will prevent the virus from appearing. While cold sores only appear periodically, the virus remains dormant in the host permanently, and cannot be cured.
How to prevent Cold Sores
Prevention is an proactive effort, try to look out for these key indicators:
- Avoid coming into close contact with infected body fluids, such as through kissing, in infected people. The cold sore virus spreads via person to person contact.
- Avoid sharing knives, forks and spoons, or drinking from the same cup as someone with a cold sore.
After you’ve been infected, there’s no way stop cold sores from appearing again in the future, although cold sore makeup could be a solution. Although there isn’t a cure for cold sores, there’s a number of thing you can do reduce the number of outbreaks you experience:
- Avoid cold sore triggers.
- Always use lip balm and sunscreen on your face. Too much sunlight can cause cold sores to flare up.
- Avoid sharing towels, razors, silverware, toothbrushes, or other objects that someone with a cold sore may have used.
- If you have a cold sore outbreak, be sure to wash your hands and avoid touching the blister. This will help to not spread the virus to other parts of the body or other people.
The Ultimate Solution
InterceptCS™ can prevent a cold sore before it ever happens. No more planning ahead or wondering, live with confidence knowing you aren’t controlled by cold sore outbreaks. Visit our shop to learn more!