Cold Sores

When to Call for Cold Sores

Care Advice for Cold Sores

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.