Cold sores are common. 1 in 3 people will get it at some point in their life and many of them will have it repeatedly. What should you and shouldn’t you do if you’re dealing with it?
Cold sores caused by herpes virus
Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus (herpes labialis). This is a contagious virus that spreads through hugging and kissing. The first contact usually takes place at pre-school age. Sometimes the virus does not cause any symptoms at all. But most often an infection develops in the mouth. Small children can be quite ill for weeks because they cannot eat and drink properly. 80 percent of young people have been infected with the virus at some point. That can be checked in the blood. It doesn’t always come back to everyone. This happens in a third of the infected cases. Once you have contracted the virus, it stays in your body for the rest of your life. It may not become active anymore, but cold sores can also occur again and again. The virus can also be transmitted to the genitals through sexual contact. Genital herpes then develops. Conversely, sexual herpes can cause cold sores through contact with the lips.
Symptoms of a cold sore
A cold sore is an infection of the skin on or near the lips. A spot develops that itches, burns, tingles or hurts. The spot turns red and small blisters appear, filled with fluid. After 1 or 2 days, the blisters dry up and scabs form. After about a week to 10 days, the lip is healed again. Since the infection usually occurs on or around the lips, we speak of a cold sore, but it can also occur in other places, such as the nose, chin or eyelid. With a 1st infection it can therefore cause an inflammation of the mouth in children. In teens, inflammation of the tongue can develop and adults can have a sore throat and swollen glands in the neck.
What to do with an infection
In order not to infect others, it is advisable to work extra hygienically when you have a cold sore. In addition to skin contact, the virus can also be passed on through cutlery, crockery, the toothbrush or a towel. Therefore wash your hands extra often, keep utensils separate and wash cutlery and crockery well after use.
A cold sore will go away on its own and in principle you do not need to treat it. There are products for sale at the drugstore and pharmacy, but the effect of these products is often limited. You can always try out what might work for you:
- Aciclovir cream is an antiviral cream that can make cold sores go away a little faster. However, it no longer makes sense to lubricate it if you already have blisters or scabs.
- Lubricate zinc oxide or zinc sulfate. This allows the blisters to dry up a little faster.
- Apply lidocaine/zinc oxide liniment or lidocaine vaseline cream. This can reduce the pain and the blisters sometimes dry up faster.
- Dried crusts can be softened with a neutral cream, such as Vaseline cetomacrogol cream.
Carefully apply any creams to prevent the virus from spreading and wash your hands well with soap and water afterwards.
In case of serious complaints, go to the doctor and discuss whether antiviral tablets (valacyclovir or acyclovir) can help you. It is best to start with the cure at the first symptoms of a cold sore.
Sunlight can trigger cold sores. Use sunscreen or wear a cap or hat when you go out into the sun.
Avoid conditions that increase the risk of cold sores. Such as stress and fatigue.
Make sure you have good resistance. A healthy diet, sufficient exercise and enough sleep are important for this.
Don’t do it with an infection
Since the herpes virus can be transmitted through the hands, do not touch your cold sore and keep your hands out of your eyes. Otherwise you run the risk of developing an eye infection. In addition to making the eye red and painful, the inflammation can also be harmful to your eye.
For most people, the herpes virus is quite harmless, but for some it causes serious complaints. This applies to newborn babies, people with a weakened immune system and people with extensive eczema. Therefore, do not hug or kiss as long as you have a cold sore and take additional measures in the company of vulnerable people, such as wearing a mouth mask.
Do not scratch the scabs to avoid scarring. They fall off on their own and leave no traces.
Do not buy a heating appliance. Its effect has not been demonstrated.
(Source: Thuisarts, Apotheek.nl, archive. Photo: Shutterstock)
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