Causes of Cold Sores

• Colds sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the Herpes simplex virus. They are spread from person-to-person by close contact, such as touching or kissing.
• Many people get cold sores more than once.
• After the first outbreak, cold sores can return when your immune system is weak. Factors are stress, being over-tired, viruses/illness, sun and wind exposure or hormone changes (menstrual periods).
• The cold sore will get better in 7-10 days.

Treatment

• There is no cure for cold sores, but there are medicines that can help with outbreaks.
• Docosanol cream (brand name Abreva) helps decrease the pain and duration of cold sores. No prescription is needed.
• There are also prescription creams and pills which may help relieve symptoms and/or make the sores heal faster.

When to Call for Cold Sores

Care Advice

What You Should Know about Cold Sores:

• Cold sores are an infection in the skin caused by the herpes simplex virus. Early symptoms are tingling or pain.
• An outbreak may be triggered by another illness, sunshine, stress or even menstrual periods.
• Cold sores can spread to others from the time the tingling starts until they are fully healed.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

General Advice:

• Avoid contact with babies or people with weak immune systems. It could cause a life-threatening infection.
• Do not touch the cold sore except to put cream on it. Wash your hands before and afterwards. Do not lick the sores.
• Do not share anything that comes into contact with the cold sore, such as towels, lip balm, eating utensils, or cold sore cream.
• Do not have oral sex until the cold sore is fully healed. This could give your partner genital herpes.
• If you wear contact lenses, do not touch the lens or your eye without washing your hands first. You could spread the virus to your eye.
• Use a sunblock lip balm (SPF greater than 15) when outdoors.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Pain Medicine:

• To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
• Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
• Use as needed but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
• If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.

Other Medicines:

• Docosanol cream (brand name Abreva) is an over-the-counter anti-viral cream. It may shorten the outbreak. Start the cream as soon as the tingling starts.
• Your doctor may prescribe antiviral meds if your cold sores are severe.

Work and Other Activities:

• Cold sores are spread to others by contact with the sores or from your hands if you have touched the sore.
• Wash the hands often. Try not to touch the sores.
• For mild cold sores, you can continue work and other activities.
• For severe cold sores, it may be better to stay at home.

What to Expect:

• Starts with tingling of the skin.
• Fluid-filled blister(s) follow. These burst and become open sores which crust over and scab.
• The skin often heals in 10 days.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Sores are near the eye or eyelid
• Sores last more than 10 days
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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