Cold Sore Myths and Facts

Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family – Kofi Annan

While I’ve never personally had a cold sore, I know many friends and family members that have and because of this, I know it causes much stress and discomfort. The person might feel a range of emotions from frustration to helplessness, and might avoid social situations. The experience is unpleasant and even embarrassing.

This time of year, right after the holiday rush, yourself or someone in your family might experience a cold sore outbreak. This is because some of the triggers of a cold sore are fatigue, stress, cold weather, wind, and excess sun[1].

The first step in aiding someone who suffers from cold sore outbreaks is to get real information and separate the myths from the facts – and there are a lot of cold sore myths out there. While there is currently no cure for the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) which causes cold sores, knowing the facts about the causes and prevention will help those who suffer.

 

Cold Sore Myths and Facts

• Myth: Cold sores are only contagious when you can see a blister.
• Fact: A cold sore is contagious from the first tingle until it’s completely healed. Remember to take extra precautions to protect others from encountering the virus. If you have one, avoid kissing, sharing food utensils and remember not to touch it! 

• Myth: Everyone who contracts the cold sore virus will experience an outbreak.
• Fact: While it’s likely that 90% of adults have been exposed to the cold sore virus, not everyone gets cold sore outbreaks. Actually, only 20%-40% of people will experience cold sores. 

• Myth: There is no way to shorten the healing time of a cold sore.
• Fact: Some prescription medicines — as well as the over-the-counter medicine abreva^® that contains the medicine docosanol – have been clinically proven to shorten the healing time of a cold sore. 

• Myth: Tea bags speed the healing of cold sores
• Fact: Tea bags will not make your cold sore go away faster. 

• Myth: Ingredients like camphor, menthol and phenol can heal a cold sore.
• Fact: Though these common lip balm and ointment ingredients can soothe or moisturize your cold sore, they’re not clinically proven to heal it. Real medicine like docosanol, which is only found in abreva, helps block the cold sore virus limiting its spread to surrounding healthy skin cells (and also works to speed healing). 

• Myth: Your cold sore will stay only on your lip area.
• Fact: Cold sores are caused by the HSV-1 virus and while they usually affect the lips or mouth, the virus can spread to the eyes or genitals. 

 

abreva® is the #1 pharmacist recommended treatment for cold sores. *Use as directed.

The key is to apply abreva^® at the first tingle, and continue to apply it on the area five times a day {up to a maximum of 10 days} until it’s healed. 

For yourself or someone you know – check out the abreva^® website for real information and helpful resources like more cold sore myths and facts.

They say knowledge is power, and knowing the myths vs facts when it comes to cold sores will only help those you love when dealing with an experience which is anything but pleasant.  

Who do you know that could use some myths vs facts assistance when it comes to cold sores?

 

Disclosure: This is a compensated post on behalf of abreva®, yet all opinions are my own.

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