Cold Sores

A cold sore is a common symptom of a viral infection. A cold sore is a painful lump or blister that forms on the face, often around the lips.

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by a type of herpes virus that is highly contagious and is often caught in childhood from someone who is infected. The virus lies dormant until it is activated, usually at a most inconvenient moment. When activated symptoms start with tingling or burning sensation near where the blister is going to occur. Within a few hours one or more small blisters form, there is often swelling the surrounding area leading to a throbbing painful sore.

The liquid inside the blister contains active herpes viruses, so may spread to other areas or other people once the blister breaks. The sore may become infected with bacteria as well as with the virus, so be careful to help prevent any further infection. Cold sores must not be popped or scratched open.

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Is there a cure?

Once you have had your first cold sore you remain infected, so there is no cure. The virus often lies dormant for some time, and is activated by stress, sunburn, colds and flu. Some people get cold sores more regularly than others.

Sometimes cold sores can develop after the initial infection as a viral response to a weakened immune system through physical injury such as from dental work, fatigue or generally being run down. Having a strong immune system can help reduce the risk of reactivation of cold sores.

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How to prevent cold sores

Prevention is better than a cure, especially with cold sores. If you have never had a cold sore before, be extra careful around someone with a cold sore. If you have a cold sore it is your responsibility to help prevent anyone getting an infection too. There are some simple steps to follow.

Make sure you don’t share cups, cutlery, toothbrushes and towels. Ensure you wash and dry your hands frequently. Avoiding kissing anyone when you have an active cold sore.

Treatments for cold sores

Antiviral medications are an effective treatment for cold sores. These should be used at the first sign of tingling, which is the warning sign that cold sores are on their way. Many medicines are available over the counter at your local pharmacy. Antiviral medications range from tablets that are taken as soon as warning signs develop, to medicated patches. These patches can treat the cold sore with specific antiviral medicine as well as protecting the cold sore from further infection caused by dirty hands or food debris.

There are other kinds of cold sore patches that are not medicated but can protect the infected area from spreading, ease the pain and help to heal and protect.

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How we can help

Most cold sores resolve within 10 days, but will return if you don’t prevent triggering another viral response to a weakened immune system.

Our community pharmacists will be able to give you advice to treat and prevent reinfection of cold sores. They can help you figure out if you need to seek further medical help to prevent your cold sores developing into more serious infections.

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