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| TECHNICAL TERM. Also known as Herpes Labialis (oral herpes simplex) is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. It's characterized by small usually painful blisters surrounding the mouth and lip region. |
| COLD SORES |
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| Cold sores spread through direct contact with someone who has them. You could catch it by kissing or you could have gotten the virus by touching the hand of someone who touched her own cold sore a few minutes ago. The first cold sore that you experience is probably the worst. Afterward, the virus lurks in your system forever, lying dormant among the nerve beneath your skin's surface, waiting to reappear. Women develop a slight immunity to them over the years, making outbreaks fewer and farther apart. |
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| In women, stress is the biggest trigger for cold sores, but weather changes, especially excessive sunlight, can bring on outbreaks. Menstruation can also instigate cold sores in some women, but probably more as a result of stressful feelings at the time of the month rather than different hormonal levels. |
| PREVENTION |
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| TREATMENT |
| Left alone, a cold sore will normally last 10 to 14 days. Aside from taking prescription drugs, here is what else you can do to minimize the discomfort on your own or shorten the duration of an attack. GRAB AN ICE CUBE. Applying ice directly to the sore can bring the swelling down and provide temporary relief. PROTECT YOUR LIPS. If you have had an outbreak of cold sores in the past, you should wear a lip balm with sun protection factor of 30 at all times, but especially when you are outdoors in the sun, to prevent a cold sore. If you have an open cold sore, don't use the calm stick directly on the lips, or you will spread the virus around! Instead, use a cotton swab to apply balm not only to your lips but also to the skin around it. HANDS OFF. People don't realize how highly contagious cold sores are. If you have a cold sore on your lip, don't touch it. You could get very very painful cold sores on your hands, especially if the fluids from the blister get under a hangnail. |
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| WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR |
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| Prescription medications such as Zovirax are available to fight cold sores. If you are bothered by frequent, severe cold sores, it makes sense to see a doctor. Even if the cold sore develops, most women find that the outbreak will be milder, less painful and shorter if they are taking medication. |
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| This is a close up picture of a cold sore break out. As you can see there are timy blistres evident and also redness meaning infection!!!!! |