Cold sores are small blisters around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are sometimes called fever blisters. The most common strain of the virus causing cold sores is herpes simplex virus 1. It can be spread by kissing or sharing eating utensils or even sharing towels. Herpes
simplex is not curable, but may lie dormant for a long time. Episodes of the cold sores last no longer than 2 weeks. Hot sun, cold wind, a cold or other illness, or a weak immune system can cause an outbreak of herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once the herpes simplex virus is in you, it can cause outbreaks of cold sores. Cold sore outbreaks are often triggered by exposure to hot sun, cold wind, a cold or other
illness, a weak immune system, or even stress. Some people don’t have any symptoms with the first attack; others have flu-like symptoms and ulcers in and around the mouth. While each person may experience symptoms differently, these are the most common: Tingling of the lips, commonly felt before cold sores appear Small blisters on the lips and mouth that enlarge, burst, then crust over Itching, dryness, and irritation of the lips and mouth Soreness of the lips and mouth Your doctor can often diagnose cold sores by examining the sores. If the diagnosis is unclear, he or she may culture the sore by taking a sample of cells using a swab and examining it under a microscope. Cold sores can’t be cured, but, if symptoms are severe, treatment may help relieve
some symptoms. Treatment may include: Antiviral topical ointments (such as acyclovir and penciclovir) Antiviral oral medications (such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir) Over-the-counter topical anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents may help with symptoms Cold sores take about 1 to 3 weeks to heal. The first time they appear, they can take up to 3 weeks to heal. But, when cold sores return, they
usually take a week to heal if no medicines are used. Antiviral medications may help, but they need to be started before day 3 or 4 of the blister formation. Antivirals are usually not recommended for otherwise healthy people. Always consult your health care provider or dentist if the sore does not heal or becomes worse as time passes. Can cold sores be prevented?If you have never had a cold sore, avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has an active cold sore. If you have had a cold sore, you may prevent or reduce the number of recurrences by determining what triggers your outbreaks and avoiding the trigger. For instance, if sun exposure is a trigger, use sun screen when in the sun. If you have frequent outbreaks, consult with your health care provider. Starting treatment as soon as you know you are developing a cold sore can promote healing and reduce the time it takes a cold sore to heal. Key points
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your health care provider:
Cold sores are common and usually clear up on their own within 10 days. But there are things you can do to help ease the pain. A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling. Over the next 48 hours: Cold sores should start to heal within 10 days, but are contagious
and may be irritating or painful while they heal. Some people find that certain things trigger a cold sore, such as another illness, sunshine or menstrual periods.
Other possible causes of your symptoms How long cold sores are contagiousCold sores are contagious from the moment you first feel tingling or other signs of a cold sore coming on to when the cold sore has completely healed. A pharmacist can help with cold soresA pharmacist can recommend:
You can buy electronic devices from pharmacies that treat cold sores with light or lasers. Some people find these helpful, but there have not been many studies to confirm if they work. Information: If you regularly get cold sores, use antiviral creams as soon as you recognise the early tingling feeling. They do not always work after blisters appear. Find a pharmacy Things you can do yourselfCold sores take time to heal and they're very contagious, especially when the blisters burst. Important: ImportantKissing a baby if you have a cold sore can lead to neonatal herpes, which is very dangerous to newborn babies. Do
Don’t
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
Treatment from a GPA GP may prescribe antiviral tablets if your cold sores are very large, painful or keep coming back. Newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system may be referred to hospital for advice or treatment. Why cold sores come backCold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex. Once you have the virus, it stays in your skin for the rest of your life. Sometimes it causes a cold sore. Most people are exposed to the virus when they're young after close skin to skin contact, such as kissing, with someone who has a cold sore. It does not usually cause any symptoms until you're older. You will not know if it's in your skin unless you get a cold sore. Page last reviewed: 20 July 2020 Why do I get cold sores after being in the sun?Sunlight. Sunlight is a well-established trigger for cold sores around the mouth. Unprotected exposure to even relatively small levels of UV radiation may stimulate herpes virus activity. When this happens, the virus moves from its dormant resting place in the nerve ganglia and travels into cells on the lips and mouth.
Can cold sores be triggered by sunlight?Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin and trigger a recurrent cold sore. Go on the offensive against sun exposure with these tips for staying safe and preventing summer cold sores. Sun is a proven trigger of cold sores.
How do you prevent sun blisters on your lips?You can take steps to prevent future lip sunburns. Purchasing a lip balm or lipstick with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 is a great start. You need to reapply lip sunscreen more frequently than sunscreen to the rest of your skin, due to eating, drinking, and frequently licking your lips.
Why do I get blisters on my lips after being in the sun?Sunburn: Ultraviolet (UV) rays may cause lip blisters if the sunburn is particularly severe. Blocked or ruptured salivary glands: Mucoceles are fluid-filled cysts that may develop on the inside of the lower lip when the salivary gland ruptures or is blocked.
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