Cold Sores
Preventing cold sores isn't always possible, but there are some things that may help. In addition, with early attention and medication you may be able to inhibit their growth and shorten the duration of an outbreak.
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are very common. They usually clear up without treatment in 7 to 14 days.
Cold sores are caused by a form of the herpes simplex virus that's carried by most people and is normally dormant. Any number of things, including stress, fever, injury to the lips or mouth, colds and sun and wind exposure can induce an outbreak.
A simple way to help prevent some flare-ups is to wear a lip balm that includes sunscreen protection of at least SPF 15. When worn on a daily basis, the sunscreen can help prevent sun-induced cold sores.
Several antiviral agents are also available by prescription to treat cold sores. Generally, treatment is recommended at the first sign of a cold sore - when you feel a tingling sensation on your lip that precedes the blistering.
Commonly used antivirals include acyclovir (Acyclovir, Zovirax) and the ointment penciclovir (Denavir).
Cold sores tend to recur in the same location. They're easily spread through skin-to-skin contact, especially from the time a blister appears until it has completely crusted over. When you have a cold sore, don't pick at it. In addition, avoid kissing and skin contact with others while the blisters are present.
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