What Causes Cold Sores?
Cold sores (or “fever blisters”) are caused by the very common, very contagious HSV-1 virus. You can get it from kissing, sharing drinks or even using the same lip balm as someone who has it. “Once you get the virus it usually stays dormant in the body but can wake up and cause an outbreak when triggered,” explains David Gregory, MD, Carilion Clinic Family Medicine. Triggers can vary from person to person, and include things like:
- Stress
- Illness or weakened immune system
- Too much sun exposure
- Hormonal changes (like during your period)
- Cold weather
How Do You Know if It’s a Cold Sore?
Cold sores usually follow a pattern when they develop:
- Tingling or Itching: “Before anything shows up, people usually feel tingling, burning or itching around the lips,” says Dr. Gregory. “Those are some of the tell-tale signs of a cold sore.”
- Blister Formation: Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters form around your lips, nose or chin.
- Oozing and Crusting: The blisters break open before forming a scab.
- Healing: Within a week or 2, the scab falls off and your skin goes back to normal without scarring.
How To Treat Cold Sores
There’s no cure for cold sores, but you can speed up healing with a few tricks:
- Antiviral Creams or Meds: Over-the-counter creams like docosanol (Abreva) or prescription meds like acyclovir can help shorten the outbreak
- Ice It Down: A cold compress can ease the pain and reduce swelling
- Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease pain
How To Avoid Spreading Cold Sores
Cold sores are very contagious, especially when they’re oozing (gross, but true). Here’s how to keep from spreading them to others:
- Avoid kissing or close contact while you have an active sore
- Don’t share drinks, utensils, towels or toiletries
- Wash your hands often and avoid touching the sore
When To See a Doctor
Most cold sores go away on their own, but you might need a doctor’s help if:
- The sores are severe or last longer than 2 weeks
- You get them frequently
- The virus spreads to your eyes (this can be serious)
- You have a weakened immune system due to conditions like HIV or cancer treatment
When in doubt, reach out to your primary care physician. They can examine the blisters to make sure it’s not something more serious and prescribe any appropriate medication.
