Cold Sores

Catching Coldsores: When To Avoid Contact

Coldsores are caused by a virus, specifically the Herpes Simplex 1 virus. A coldsore usually occurs on the facial area. Coldsores can appear on or near the lips, by the nose, or on other areas of the face. It is uncommon but there have been incidences of catching coldsores on the other parts of the body. Cold sores are transmitted through contact, so it's a very good idea to wash your hands with soap and water immediately if you come into contact with a cold sore.

Coldsores typically develop with some intial stages of tenderness to the touch in the area. If you have had coldsores before, they tend to develop again in the same spots. The tenderness in the area will alert you that a coldsore is developing. The reason that catching coldsores has become more and more frequent is due to people having skin to skin contact with another person.

Another method of transmission and a risk of catching coldsores is through using objects that an infected person has used. Examples of products that can transmit the coldsore virus if an infected person uses them are: washcloths, drinking glasses, lip balm or lipstick. The virus can be transmitted as long as it is wet, so a wet area on a glass, wet washcloth,wet lipstick or lip balm is a platform for transmission.

As the coldsore develops, fluid develops in the area and eventually bursts open and weeps. This is when people can end up catching coldsores because the coldsore is highly contagious to others.

After the cold score bursts open, it will go through a process of crusting over. There is still a good chance of catching coldsores even when they are crusted over. The rule of thumb is that after the coldsore crusts over, it usually heals and goes away within 7-14 days.

Once you have a coldsore, it is most likely that the sore will reappear throughout your life. Therefore, you will always have the risk of others catching coldsores from you. However, you can greatly reduce the incidence of transmitting coldsores to others if you follow certain guidelines. Always remember to wash your hands throughly with soap and water after touching your coldsore. Even if you do not touch other people, you can end up catching coldsores on other parts of your body if you do not wash your hands. Avoid contact with others, especially kissing, during the time you have a coldsore. You can also look into using creams that can be prescribed by your doctor or dentist to help your coldsores heal faster.