Cold
sores are blistering, sore lesions, usually found around the
lips, mouth and nose caused by the Herpes Simplex 1 virus (HSV1).
The commonest pattern is for the subject to feel a tingling
of the skin, particularly on the lip, followed a day or two
later by the appearance of fluid filled blisters. The blisters
weep for a few days and gradually dry up, forming a scab, which
will fall off, the whole process taking about 2 weeks. Sometimes,
there is, in a particular individual, a known circumstance that
will trigger an attack – exposure to sunlight as in sunbathing, stress, change of diet, the common cold, for example. That having been said, herpes simplex lesions can appear anywhere on the body and are contagious by skin to skin contact. Once the herpes virus is transmitted in this way it can stay in the new host for life appearing at intervals to produce the uncomfortable cold sore. The infected auntie with a cold sore on her lip can transfer HSV1 to the baby in the pram with a simple kiss, not a life-long present to be desired. Similarly with the change in sexual habits, where orogenital contact has become much more common, HSV1 can be transferred from lip to genitals mimicking the genitally transmitted Herpes Simplex 2 virus (HSV2). Herpes simplex infections of the eye can be very serious and cause blindness. Small children can also develop a nasty infection of the mouth, herpetic stomatitis.
The most important management of cold sores is to advise the sufferer to keep them to himself or herself. The lesions are certainly infectious, by contact, until the scab has disappeared. Aciclovir cream is available, without prescription, at pharmacies, and may be useful. An anti-viral agent, it has to be applied as soon as possible and frequently, as per the instructions. In those who are used to the pattern of the condition, it might be applied as soon as the tingling starts, before the blisters have made an appearance. Various other lip salves are available. A consultation with the doctor may be useful particularly if the herpetic lesions appear somewhere other than just in the lip area. |
