Health & Wellness - Jan 17

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Dealing with Cold Sores
By Dr. Wesley W. Johnson,
Family Practice Associates of Lexington, P.S.C.
Cold sores,
also known as
fever blisters, are
often a winter
inevitability. They are caused by
the oral form of the herpes simplex
virus 1 (HSV-1). The virus is highly
contagious. According to one source,
about 67 percent of the world’s population
younger than 50 years old
has HSV-1. Most people contract it
in early childhood; it is transmitted
through skin-to-skin contact. Once
you are infected with it, the virus
never leaves your body. Fortunately
for most people, the virus remains
inactive throughout their lives.
However, when the virus does
wake up, cold sores may appear as
red bumps or blisters on the gums
and the outside of the mouth, lips
and nose. You may also develop a
fever or a sore throat or have swollen
lymph nodes. The factors that
trigger cold sores include stress, cold
weather and fatigue. They usually
last seven to 10 days. They are very
contagious during this time period.
The virus can spread from the
mouth to the genitals, eyes and other
parts of the body. Your doctor may
examine the cold sore or take a culture
from it or take a blood sample
to test for antibodies.
There is no cure for cold sores.
Most of the time they disappear on
their own. You can ease the pain by
taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen or
vitamin C, applying ice and using
over-the-counter numbing medicines.
These medicines may reduce
the duration of cold sores. Your
doctor may prescribe an anti-viral
oral medication to facilitate healing.
It is also a good idea to avoid spicy
and acidic foods such as citrus fruits
while the cold sores are active.
To prevent cold sores, be sure to:
• wash your hands after you touch a
cold sore;
• replace your toothbrush;
• avoid kissing someone who has
a cold sore and don’t kiss anyone
else when you have one;
• use sunscreen; and
• replace your lipstick or lip balm.
Don’t share toothbrushes, razors,
water bottles, drinking glasses and
silverware with someone who has a
cold sore. Your best bet for avoiding
cold sores is to stay healthy. A fever
can trigger a cold sore outbreak, so
you need to make sure you combat
illness and strengthen your immunity
by getting enough sleep and exercise,
eating healthily and staying hydrated.
Hydration protects your lips from
the dry air that comes with being
inside during the winter. It may be
a good idea to get a humidifier for
your home. In addition, use products
that will guard your lips against chapping
caused by the wind and sunlight
(even in the wintertime, the sun’s rays
can cause damage). Soothe a sore
mouth with a rinse that contains baking
soda. Dress in layers to protect
your body when it’s cold, including
wearing hats and scarves.
If you do develop a cold sore, keep
it clean by washing it gently with soap
and water. It can become more serious
if it leads to a bacterial infection,
especially in people who have weakened
or impaired immune systems.
About the Author
Dr. Wesley W. Johnson completed
his family practice residency at the
University of Kentucky in November
2004, joining Family Practice Associates
of Lexington in December 2004. Dr.
Johnson’s particular interests include
chronic disease management, pediatrics
and aviation medicine.