Caused by the herpes simplex virus, cold sores are small and painful blisters that occur on the skin of the lips, mouth, gums or lip area. Cold sores are caused by the Type 1 herpes virus. Herpes simplex Type 2 is a sexually transmitted version of the virus, with blisters occurring on the genitals. Infection with the Type 1 virus is quite common, with infection usually occurring before early adulthood.

Cold sores are highly contagious. First contact with the virus may occur directly, such as from kissing a person who has an active cold sore, or indirectly through contact with the towel, razor or cup of a person who has a cold sore. A person with a cold sore can transfer the herpes virus to the mouth or the genitals of an uninfected person, so close physical contact should be avoided. After exposure to the virus, it may take one or two weeks for symptoms of a cold sore to become evident. The cold sore lesion may take between seven to ten days before beginning to resolve, during which time the person remains contagious. In most instances, the herpes virus remains latent in the nerve tissue of the infected person.

Learning to recognize the warning signs that a cold sore is developing, means that you can start treatment earlier and thus help resolve the cold sore more quickly. Warning signs including an itching or burning sensation, heightened sensitivity of the lips or mouth area, or a tingling sensation. These symptoms may occur up to two days before the cold sore lesion appears.

Antiviral medications taken orally can help to eradicate the virus at first infection. Anti-viral tablets can be given to the children of women who have herpes simplex and are quite effective at eliminating the virus. Unfortunately, for most people it is difficult to determine when the primary infection has occurred. It is often the case that you will need to treat the symptoms of the cold sore each time the virus recurs, rather than eliminating the cause. Anti-viral creams, such as Zovirax or Vectivar, applied topically are good at reducing the lifespan of cold sores. These creams are available without prescription from a pharmacy. It is important to ensure that you wash your hands before and after applying these creams, to minimize the risk of re-infecting yourself.

Although it will not help to resolve the lesion, applying ice to the developing cold sore can reduce pain and swelling. If you would prefer a natural remedy, taking lysine tablets can also help to reduce the time your cold sore is active. Keeping the lesion moist, through application of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or a petroleum jelly-based product will stop the lesion from cracking and bleeding. Severe cold sores can cause your lips and face to scar, so preventing the lesion from bleeding and scabbing is important.

Cold sores tend to recur when triggered by certain stressful stimuli, including menstruation, sun exposure, illness with a fever, or other stressful situations. Keeping your lips protected with a lip balm, especially one containing an SPF, can help to prevent a cold sore from developing.