Your complete guide to... Dealing with a COLD SORE

With winter well on its way, here’s how to sort a sore for good...

- CLARE SWATMAN

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?