Cold sores

Coleslaw? Did someone say coldslaw? No? Cold sores around your mouth are caused by the herpes virus and can be a right pain. Not only do they look bad, they make snogging out of the question. Here’s how to deal.

Kiss me baby, I'm cold sore free.

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are small ulcers that erupt around the lips and nostrils. The infections are caused by a virus known as Herpes simplex type I.

What happens when you get a cold sore?

Early signs of an attack include a tingling sensation in the area where the sore will develop. The skin then becomes inflamed, blisters begin to form and finally burst. Often this can lead to painful ulcers, or scabs.

An attack can last for eight to 12 days, with more tingling every time a new crop arrives.

How do you get cold sores?

Quite simply, they are very contagious. If someone with a cold sore kisses you, you’re likely to catch the herpes virus that causes them. What’s unfair about cold sores is they affect people differently. Most people are exposed to the infection – up to 80% of the UK – and the virus lies dormant forever. Some people may get a one-off cold sore attack and then never get one again. And, for others, cold sores are a fact of life and they get about four to five episodes each year.

Things that can trigger cold sores include: having a weakened immune system due to illness, stress, strong sunlight, certain foods, and being on your period if you’re a girl.

Hang on, are cold sores the same thing as genital herpes?

No. If you suffer from cold sores this doesn’t mean you’ll get genital herpes. They are similar strains of the same virus that reside in different parts of the body.

HOWEVER – the virus can morph through skin-to-skin contact. So if you’ve got a cold sore, and go down on someone or give them a blowjob – this can give them genital herpes. So, whatever you do, take oral sex off the menu the moment you feel a tingling around your mouth, or use a dental dam.

How do I stop myself spreading cold sores to others?

• Don’t kiss anyone, anywhere, until the attack is over. They won’t thank you for it.
• Don’t share cups and cutlery until the cold sore has gone down.
• As we said above, avoid all forms of oral sex, or use a dental dam.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a cold sore.
• Don’t rub your eyes as this can transfer the virus into your eyeball.

How do I treat cold sores?

Unfortunately, once you have the virus, you’ll always have it. There’s no ‘cure’ for cold sores, but you can treat the sores themselves when you have a flare-up. That said, they go away by themselves within seven to ten days. Antiviral creams or liquids are pretty effective. See your GP or pharmacist for further advice.

If antiviral treatment is applied as soon as tingling is felt, it may completely stop the sore appearing, or reduce the severity of the attack.

If attacks are severe and return frequently, antivirals can be given in pill form.

Sufferers may also find that applying sunscreen to prone areas may cut down the chances of an outbreak.

How do I cover a cold sore?

If you want to go out but don’t fancy showcasing your brand new sore, you can cover them with makeup.

Apply anti-viral cream or moisturiser so that the sore isn’t dried out – this stops makeup sticking to it. You can also buy special cold sore cover-up patchs. Then carefully dab a liquid foundation over the sore, followed by concealer if you need more coverage.