# Cold Sores/ Fever Blisters **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 13, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416 "2003-09-13T18:27:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doux\_elle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Doux\_elle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doux_elle)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/1 "2003-09-13T18:27:57Z")
Okay… here is the deal. My lips have somehow become infected with the virus and I would like to know all the ways I could have contracted it. I am under the inpression the is has something to do with the herpes virus and all this kind of stuff but I think it’s really gross… I was with some jerk about 4 months ago who had gonorrhea but had been taking medication, not that he bothered to tell me this until I caught him cheating on me. Apparently, I didnt contract THAT virus but I want to know if this is somehow connected… Can you pop the blisters? Or with that spread the virus faster? I currently am using Abeva on my lips to see if that helps… ☹ :mad: 😕 :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2003, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/2 "2003-09-13T23:51:39Z")
The oral Herpes simplex virus which causes the cold sores was in your body all along. You have had cold sores before and you will have them again. No big deal. Check out [http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/000606.cfm](http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/000606.cfm) gonorrhea is not caused by a virus. Maybe he was a jerk but it is up to you to take adequate precautions because you will be suffering the consequences, not any jerks out there. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/3 "2003-09-14T00:30:52Z")
There have been several threads on this MB and cold sores, if you care to search. In every one of them, I’ve recommended Curasore [sup] tm [/sup],which costs a couple of bucks for a tube. (It’s a salve.) Much cheaper than acyclovir and you don’t need a prescription. I’ve tried both and have not noticed any difference in efficacy. They are both very good and will eliminate your “cold sores” in a very short time. (Curasore [sup]tm [/sup]contains ether. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Zahn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e0b2c6/32.png) [@John\_Zahn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Zahn)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/4 "2003-09-14T00:42:05Z")
From the OP, it seems as if you just now have got your first infection as an adult, which has me thinking it isn’t your regular cold sores or fever blisters. If it is just those though, “Campho-Phenique” is a great over the counter product. JZ ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/5 "2003-09-14T01:24:09Z")
I got my first infection as an adult. Last October, I felt an odd little blister-like bump on my upper lip. By the next morning, it got a bit blistery (DON’T pop them–it only makes things worse and helps spread the virus). Eventually my whole lip ballooned up. Based on that, some lymph node swelling in my neck, and the fact that I never recall having a cold sore before, my doctor hypothesized that it was my first infection. I was put on acyclovir, and bought some Abreva. I haven’t had another full-blown outbreak since (crosses fingers), though there were a couple times where I thought my lip felt tingly and went back on acyclovir and Abreva. Don’t feel too gross about it–it’s estimated that ~20% of adults are infected, most in childhood. The virus can be transmitted in the very early stages of an outbreak, before there’s even a visible sore. Simplex I was primarily associated with oral herpes, and simplex II with genital herpes. But due to increasing patterns of unprotected oral sex, both can appear in either location. Doctors can type it to tell you which kind you have. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/6 "2003-09-14T01:26:09Z")
20%!? Do you have a cite? I would guess a much higher percentage. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/7 "2003-09-14T01:35:51Z")
[http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual\_home/sec17/186.jsp](http://www.merck.com/mrkshared/mmanual_home/sec17/186.jsp) > [@](#): > > Herpes simplex infection produces recurring episodes of small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin or mucous membranes. > > Herpes simplex produces an eruption on the skin or mucous membranes. The eruption subsides, although the virus remains in an inactive (latent) state inside the ganglia (a group of nerve cell bodies) that supply the sensory nerves to the infected area. Periodically, the virus is reactivated and begins replicating, often causing skin eruptions of blisters in the same location as the earlier infection. However, the virus may be present in the skin without causing an obvious blister; the virus in this state can serve as a source for infecting other people. Eruptions may be triggered by overexposure to sunlight, a fever, physical or emotional stress, suppression of the immune system, or certain foods and drugs, but often the inciting factors are unknown. > > The two types of herpes simplex virus that infect the skin are HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is the usual cause of cold sores on the lips (herpes labialis) (see page 456 in Chapter 93, Disorders of the Lips, Mouth, and Tongue) and sores on the cornea of the eye (herpes simplex keratitis) (see page 1041 in Chapter 222, Corneal Disorders); it is usually transmitted by contact with secretions from or around the mouth. HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes and is transmitted primarily by direct contact with the sores, most often during sexual contact. (see page 946 in Chapter 189, Sexually Transmitted Diseases) > [@](#): > > People who escape oral herpes in childhood but contract it as adults usually have more severe symptoms. > > Unlike the original infection that causes widespread mouth soreness, the later flare-ups usually produce cold sores (fever blisters). These flare-ups are commonly triggered by sunburn on the lips, a cold, fever, food allergy, mouth injury, dental treatment, or anxiety. For a day or two before a blister appears, the person may feel tingling or discomfort (a prodrome) in the spot where the blister will erupt. This sensation is difficult to describe but is easily recognized by a person who has had herpes before. A raw, open sore may appear on the outer lip and then become crusty. Inside the mouth, a sore most commonly appears on the palate. Sores in the mouth start out as small blisters that quickly run together and form a painful, red sore. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/8 "2003-09-14T01:48:57Z")
I had sores on my lips after having a alpha-hydroxy chemical peel. I had problems for weeks after that. I can’t even use cleansers or masks with alpha-hydroxy because when I rinse it off, the water runs over my lips and wrecks them. ---
**Author:** ![Road\_Rash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@Road\_Rash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Road_Rash)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/9 "2003-09-14T02:41:04Z")
Lymph node swelling in the neck! Wow! I guess I am glad I got it as a kid. My first outbreak when I was about 6. I have had outbreaks 3 weeks apart. I have gone a year without one. I never looked at the studies, but I can concur that sunlight, stress, or just chapped lips can cause an outbreak. Don’t pop them. It will really hurt. They will break on their own. Then the real pain begans, but at least it is in the healing phase. An above poster recommended Campho-Phenique. I find it to be just a little too potent, it will burn upon application. Blistex works for me. It has camhor and phenol, but it is in a soothing, moisterizing cream. There are good over-the-counter medicines. They will clear it up a couple of days quicker than the old remedies. I remember back in the 80’s some kid in a small town got fever blisters. Some moron hick discovered it was a form of herpes, got the town in a stir and tried to make the kid wear a protective suit to school. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/10 "2003-09-14T09:53:48Z")
For me the most efficient trigger for cold sores is sun exposure. I don’t know why. When I go sailing I get cold sores. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/11 "2003-09-14T16:43:49Z")
Sun exposure is a very common stress inducing herpes sores. I had a friend who got them around the eyes after sun exposure. I repeat. No OTC has ever worked for me (and I’ve tried them all) except Curasore. Hydrocortisone did work, but then I found out it was contraindicated due to its negative effect on the body’s own immune system. Even that did not work as well as Curasore. You can buy hydrocortisone (which is an anti-inflammatory) OTC as long as the percentage is 1% or less, as cortisone is a very powerful anti-inflammatory. ---
**Author:** ![bsane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@bsane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bsane)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/12 "2003-09-14T19:33:41Z")
I’ve had them since childhood. I have a presciption for Denavir which has worked great. At the first sign you apply, and then every two hours after that. If you can get the first application on quick enough (within an hour of the first small blister) the cold sore will never develop any further. ---
**Author:** ![bojon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bojon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bojon)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/13 "2003-09-14T23:29:03Z")
I have dated quite a few nurses, and they would have a small vial of medicine. This medicine was intended to be used internally, but they would use a syringe to apply a drop on the spot that tingled. I tried it once and it worked. Don’t know the name. Sorry ---
**Author:** ![Cillasi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Cillasi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cillasi)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/14 "2003-09-15T01:15:21Z")
Hydrocortizone is great for cold sores. As it’s not something you will be applying on a regular basis, using a dab of it for the occasional coldsore will probably not have a detrimental effect on your immune system. NOTE: Do NOT use hydrocortizone on children without a doctor’s approval. It is a very powerful medication. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cold-sores-fever-blisters/201416/15 "2003-09-15T17:18:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by barbitu8 \* > \*\*20%!? Do you have a cite? I would guess a much higher percentage. \*\* You’re right. [WebMD](http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/95/23768.htm) says > [@](#): > > Almost everyone has been infected with the HSV virus. Most people become infected with HSV for the first time during childhood (between the ages of 1 and 5) or young adulthood.1 Between 60% and 90% of Americans have been infected with HSV and have HSV antibodies, while around 90% of people in underdeveloped nations have HSV antibodies.2 You can be infected with HSV and have no symptoms. I think I had a bit of a brain fart and saw the “between the ages of 1 and 5” bit and reinterpreted it as 1 in 5. **Road Rash** : it wasn’t very fun. I hated the swollen upper lip more–it looked like someone had punched me in the face. What was worse was that my boyfriend was coming in from out of town that weekend, so I couldn’t kiss him at all.