A Guide to Cold Sores: Causes, and Treatment Options
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a common and often irritating skin condition characterised by an initial tingling, itching or burning sensation.
They appear as small, fluid-filled blisters typically around the lips, but can also form in other areas around the mouth.
In this guide, we will explore the causes of cold sores and how to manage and treat them.
How to Get Rid of Cold Sores
Getting rid of cold sores involves things to ease the discomfort and help them heal as well as preventative measures.
They tend to heal on their own within a few days but speak to your pharmacist for advice on creams which help to relieve the pain and irritation and speed up healing time.
Cold sores are contagious from the moment they appear so try to avoid touching it aside from applying a treatment. Always wash your hands with soap and water afterwards to help prevent them spreading to other parts of your body and other people.
Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated as this helps your body heal more efficiently.
To help prevent a cold sore outbreak avoid triggers such as sunbeds and use a SPF 15+ sunscreen lip balm if you’re out in sunny weather.
Stress can trigger outbreaks, so managing stress through relaxation techniques can be beneficial.
How Do You Get Cold Sores?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).4
There are two types of HSV – HSV-1, which primarily causes cold sores on the face, and HSV-2, which typically causes genital herpes.4
If you get cold sores, the chances are you picked up the herpes simplex virus as a child from close skin to skin contact with someone who had a cold sore.2
Once you have the virus it stays in your system for the rest of your life.2
Causes of Cold Sores
There are several common triggers of cold sores, including:4
A weakened immune system: Illnesses or conditions that weaken your immune system can cause an outbreak as can being run down.4
Stress and tiredness: Stress or a lack of sleep can trigger cold sores.4
Exposure to sunlight: UV light from the sun or sunbeds can activate the virus.4
Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those during menstruation, can lead to outbreaks.2
Cold Sore Cream
You’ll find a range of over the counter cold sore treatments that help to relieve pain and discomfort to speed up healing time at your local pharmacy, supermarket or high street store.
Cymex cream’s triple action formula actively relieves, controls infection and promotes effective healing of cold sores.
It can be applied sparingly every hour as needed from the first tingle of a cold sore.
How To Soothe a Cold Sore
Here are a few tips to help soothe the pain and discomfort of a cold sore:
Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Try not to eat salty or acidic foods like citrus fruits which could irritate your cold sore.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to ease any pain or swelling.
An ice pack may help to reduce swelling and numb the area. This may also help to slow a cold sore from developing if used for five to 10 minutes every hour during the initial tingling or burning stage.
Keep reading
A Guide to Cold Sores: Causes, and Treatment Options
Why Cymex?
Active relief
Cymex cold sore cream helps to relieve painful, unsightly cold sores and dry cracked lips.
Infection control
Antibacterial properties help control the infection to help prevent further outbreaks.
Effective healing
Cymex’s antibacterial properties helps to control the infection which allows cold sores to heal faster.
Antiviral cream for cold sores
Cymex cream is an antiseptic barrier cream for the relief of cold sores and cracked lips. Always read the label.