Medical Questions » Mouth and Throat Questions » Question No. 675
| Question: | What are cold sores? I get one every few months, and I hate them, because they look so ugly. |
| Answer: | Cold sores are caused by a virus.
About a quarter of the population is susceptible to this condition, while the rest of us are immune.
Once the virus is contracted, it settles in the tissue around the lips, nostrils and other areas of sensitive skin. At times when the body' s tesistance is lowered, the virus will start rapidly reproducing and an itchy, painful, blistery and later weeping sore will develop. Eventually this dries out and heals, but while in the blistery stage, the virus can be spread to other people in the community.
There are ointments that can be used (eg. Zovirax) in the very early stages of a cold sore to prevent it from developing further. Once the sore is established, only soothing and drying preparations can assist in healing the sore.
Tablets are available to prevent cold sores, but these are very expensive, available only on prescription, and must be taken all the time.
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