When it comes to beauty, there are a few topics we tend to shy away from talking about; cold sores being one of these. Concern about being judged and sometimes feeling embarrassed by the sheer thought of communicating your condition to another can cause anxiety for some.
But believe it or not, cold sore outbreaks are quite common. According to a report undertaken by New South Wales Health in 2012, approximately 75 of 100 Australian adults appeared to be infected with Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1); the disease known to most likely cause cold sore outbreaks.
So what are cold sores – how do we get them, what do they do?
Cold sores are pesky blisters that form in the mouth or on the lips and are a type of viral infection caused by the HSV-1. Frustratingly, HSV-1 is highly contagious and is spread through person to person contact and is often shared very innocently.
Cold sores comprise five stages: tingling, blistering, weeping, crusting and healing. The blisters can arise at any time, however, are commonly triggered by stress. No wonder they seem to appear at the most inconvenient of times – hello, picture day!
But did you know, cold sore outbreaks can sometimes be triggered by exposure to sunlight? With the warmer weather arriving, and people likely to be spending more time in the sun, it is important to apply sunblock to the spot to prevent recurrent outbreaks.
So what do you do when you’re experiencing an outbreak?
It’s not fully understood by many people who have cold sores, how contagious they can be, so practising good hygiene, avoiding puckering up with your loved one, no kisses for mum or dad and friends, as well as remembering to keep washing your hands in case you’ve touched your mouth and forgotten you’ve done so, will all help you manage an outbreak.
Avoiding kissing or any other form of skin contact when a blister is present – as this is when the virus is the most contagious – will really help stop the spread.. And do your best to keep your hands clean at all times!
It’s a great idea to consult your GP or a trained health care professional when experiencing an outbreak, as there are other things you can do to help support you when you do have an outbreak including antivirals, different creams and lotions and products that have been have been formulated to relieve cold sore symptoms.
These are some helpful products you can buy over the counter to assist you:
Dermal Therapy Cold Sore Lysine+ Gel | RRP $11.99
Being Australia’s first topical gel containing Lysine, Dermal Therapy’s Cold Sore Lysine+ Gel provides triple action relief and is formulated with a synergistic blend of ingredients to combat every stage of the cold sore.
Betadine Cold Sore Ointment | RRP $9.99
Betadine’s Cold Sore Ointment is designed to treat cold sores. If the ointment is applied during the prodromal stage of the outbreak (when a tingling or itching sensation is occurring), the ointment can assist the risk of spreading the infection.
Blistex Antiviral Cold Sore Cream | RRP $12.59
This cold sore cream contains Acyclovir, an ingredient that is said to prevent the virus from replicating, whilst also diminishing the intensity of the blister.
Don’t let cold sores get in the way of your plans this summer! Remember to act fast when experiencing an outbreak. Ideally, as soon as you feel a tingle or symptoms coming on.
*If you are experiencing symptoms, always contact your GP or trained health care professional.
