Cold Sores- Knowledge and Prevention

Cold Sores are caused by a contagious virus called herpes simplex and it is also called oral herpes.

This causes to develop unsightly cold sores that usually occur outside the mouth on the lips, chin, cheeks and nostrils. If at all they occur inside the mouth, then it is on the gums or the roof of the mouth.

This disease is highly contagious and to prevent it, do not come in contact with the person having cold sores. The infected body fluids cause the disease to be transferred from one person to another very easily.

For example, a parent with a cold sore if kisses a child it gets transferred to the child. Likewise, sharing utensils like drinking cups etc with an infected person causes cold sore to spread.

But in case you have contracted cold sore, then you can avoid its outburst. There are many situations where cold sore is “triggered”. If you have the flu, or cold, then you will see the cold sores start to appear.

Likewise, when you are stressed, the sores start to appear and then usually last for a week or two. Too much sunlight and dryness of the lips can also cause cold sore to flare up.

Hence it is advised that you always use lip balms and sunscreen whenever you are out in the sun. The sores tend to show even when you have shared the utensils or utilities like face towels or shavers from an infected person. Hence, always avoid toothbrushes, towels, razors, silverware or any other object that has come in contact with the infected person’s face. They will trigger the cold sores on yours.

When you have the sore, ensure that it is not touched often, because touching will not only augment the sores, they will also not dry sooner and might also spread to the other areas of the face because of the fluid discharge.

Also, in this case there is a high risk of contamination and hence it is necessary that you wash your hands often. This will help prevent the sore from spreading to your eyes or to other people as well.