The cold weather is upon us and if you suffer from cold sores you’ll know that they’re much more prevalent during the winter months. They are common, and highly contagious. Here’s our guide to the humble – yet annoying – cold sore.
What is a cold sore?
A cold sore is a skin infection that tends to develop as a cluster of small, painful blisters on the face, particularly around the lips and nose area.
‘The lips are the most common area for cold sores to appear because this is where the virus is usually contracted when it’s passed between individuals,’ explains Lloyds Pharmacy Pharmacist Daisy Darkwa. ‘In some rare cases, cold sores can appear in the eye.’
Is it herpes?
You’ve probably heard that cold sores are caused by the herpes virus – and that’s technically true. But although it’s not the same strain that typically causes genital herpes, it is just as contagious.
‘As cold sores are a symptom of the herpes virus, many people believe that they are caused by an STI, but that’s not the case,’ explains Daisy. ‘The most common strain of herpes that causes cold sores is known as HSV-1, while the STI strain of herpes is caused by HSV-2. Although in some cases this strain can cause cold sores, it is much rarer.’
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS?
この記事は WOMAN - UK の October 12, 2020 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は WOMAN - UK の October 12, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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