Information Sheet for Patients
What are COLD SORES?
Cold sores, which usually occur on the face, are due to a virus infection called Herpes
Simplex. The first symptom is either tingling or itchiness of the area of skin where the
infection is developing usually around the lips but it can occur in any part of the skin.
The itchiness/tingling is followed by blisters which soon burst to leave open sores. These
sores crust over to give the typical cold sores. The sufferer usually feels under the weather.
Some people do seem to be particularly troubled by recurrent cold sores but most people
only suffer from them occasionally.
The virus may be caught first during childhood and it then lives in the nerves and remains
dormant. For reasons that are not fully understood, the virus may begin to grow and then
cause the cold sore.
Certain things may cause an attack
another viral infection such as a cold or influenza
a fever for any reason
physical or mental stress
over exposure to wind or sunlight.
Cold sores can be spread to other people by contact. This includes kissing and also the
sharing of objects such as toothbrushes, towels, knives and forks etc. It is important not to
kiss other individuals such as your own children if you have a cold sore.
Cold sores do not cause serious illness unless the sufferer has a problem with their immune
system which means they cannot fight off infections as would other people. Also, cold sores
can cause a painful wide spread infection in a person who has eczema. Finally, the cold sore
virus can cause serious eye problems in a few people. If you suffer from cold sores and
develop a painful eye, it is most important to seek medical advice immediately. It is important
to emphasise that most people will have a minor, if annoying skin infection, which will get
better by itself in a few days.
It is now possible to buy a special cream (Acylovir) over the counter at the Chemist to help
cold sores get better. Any Chemist will be able to advise you on the correct cream to use.
The cream is best started when you first feel the itchiness and tingling developing. It is of
no use once the cold sore has been present for 48 hours. Cold sores do not need to be seen
by a Doctor unless you have a persistent fever, redness of the eye or particularly inflamed
sores with yellow discharge. Some people can help themselves in preventing cold sores by
avoiding the trigger factors listed above. In particular, sun screen can be most helpful for
those people whose cold sores are brought on by sunlight.
