Are You Sick?

Cold Sores

Is this your symptom?

Painful blisters on the lips, nose or face
Also called fever blisters

Causes of Cold Sores

Colds sores, also called fever blisters, are caused by the Herpes simplex virus. They are spread from person-to-person by close contact, such as touching or kissing.
Many people get cold sores more than once.
After the first outbreak, cold sores can return when your immune system is weak. Factors are stress, being over-tired, viruses/illness, sun and wind exposure or hormone changes (menstrual periods).
The cold sore will get better in 7-10 days.

Treatment

There is no cure for cold sores, but there are medicines that can help with outbreaks.
Docosanol cream (brand name Abreva) helps decrease the pain and duration of cold sores. No prescription is needed.
There are also prescription creams and pills which may help relieve symptoms and/or make the sores heal faster.

When to Call for Cold Sores

When to Call for Cold Sores
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Sore or sores close to the eyes Spreading redness around the sores You feel weak or very sick	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems. Sores in other places besides lips (inside the mouth, on the gums or inside the nose) Getting worse in spite of treatment You think you need to be seen Contact Doctor During Office Hours Cold sores happen often You are worried you might have an STI (sexually transmitted infection) Sore lasts more than 10 days You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Mild cold sores

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Sore or sores close to the eyes
Spreading redness around the sores
You feel weak or very sick

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Weak immune system. Examples are: sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids, diabetes, kidney problems.
Sores in other places besides lips (inside the mouth, on the gums or inside the nose)
Getting worse in spite of treatment
You think you need to be seen

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Cold sores happen often
You are worried you might have an STI (sexually transmitted infection)
Sore lasts more than 10 days
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Mild cold sores

Care Advice for Cold Sores

What You Should Know about Cold Sores:
- Cold sores are an infection in the skin caused by the herpes simplex virus. Early symptoms are tingling or pain.
- An outbreak may be triggered by another illness, sunshine, stress or even menstrual periods.
- Cold sores are contagious from when the tingling starts until they are fully healed.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
General Advice:
- Avoid contact with babies or people with weak immune systems. It could cause a life-threatening infection.
- Do not touch the cold sore except to put cream on it. Wash your hands before and afterwards. Do not lick the sores.
- Do not share anything that comes into contact with the cold sore, such as towels, lip balm, eating utensils, or cold sore cream.
- Do not have oral sex until the cold sore is fully healed. This could give your partner genital herpes.
- If you wear contact lenses, do not touch the lens or your eye without washing your hands first. You could spread the virus to your eye.
- Use a sunblock lip balm (SPF greater than 15) when outdoors.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
- Use as needed but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
- If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
Other Medicines:
- Docosanol cream (brand name Abreva) is an over-the-counter anti-viral cream. It may shorten the episode. Start the cream as soon as the tingling starts.
- Your doctor may prescribe antiviral meds if your cold sores are severe.
Work and Other Activities:
- Cold sores are spread to others by contact with the sores or from your hands if you have touched the sore.
- Wash the hands often. Try not to touch the sores.
- For mild cold sores, you can continue work and other activities.
- For severe cold sores, it may be better to stay at home.
What to Expect:
- Starts with tingling of the skin.
- Fluid-filled blister(s) follow. These burst and become open sores which crust over and scab.
- The skin often heals in 10 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Sores are near the eye or eyelid
- Sores last more than 10 days
- You think you need to be seen
- Your symptoms get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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