The causes of cold sores: true and false

When the fever blister appears on your lip, you wonder how you got it. Cold, sun, fatigue, stress… the triggers of cold sores are varied. France Viroux, Doctor of Pharmacy, explains.

The fever blister is caught by direct contact. TRUE

Contamination occurs in early childhood and primary infection with this virus (an adenovirus of the same family as chickenpox) goes unnoticed in 85 to 90% of cases,” says France Viroux. Once infected, the virus remains latent in local nerve cells for life and can therefore reactivate.

You can get rid of herpes labialis. FALSE

“The fever blister remains dormant in the cellular body of a sensory neuron, so you can’t get rid of it permanently,” says the doctor of pharmacy. It remains present in a latent manner. However, it can be cured! “In the pharmacy, there is a liquid bandage to be applied as soon as one feels tingling, itching or a feeling of heat on the lip. Urgo Fever Spots is a discreet transparent film that covers the pimple. Its composition is based on cellulose derivative, mineral acid, carboxylic acid, vegetable oil, alcohol and water. It limits the exit of the pimple and promotes healing,” explains France Viroux

Other solutions exist: protect the fever blister with a patch that limits contamination, or apply to the fever blister, several times a day, a mixture of equal partsravintsara essential oil ,tea tree essential oil andpeppermint essential oil.

Long-term treatments can be taken to cure it. TRUE

Some people infected with the herpes virus have several outbreaks a year: up to 3 or 4. Herpeslabialis can also sometimes spread under the nose,” says France Viroux. We can then offer prophylactic treatment based on antiviral drugs to be taken orally on medical prescription, for a long period of up to several months . »

Herpes labialis can be transmitted with lipstick. TRUE

It is always preferable not to share your make-up, this is valid for many reasons of hygiene. A fever blister can indeed be caught through a tube of lipstick, lip balm or even foundation. “Especially in case of chapped lips, cuts,” says France Viroux. As a precaution, when you have a fever blister, it is better to renew your makeup, and of course, never test a makeup product on your lips in a store, but on the back of your hand or on a tissue.

The sun is good against cold sores. FALSE

Thesun has an impact on the immune system and on health in general. This is why it is important to protect your skin and lips during the summer. Like the skin and eyes, it is important to protect your mouth,” advises the doctor of pharmacy, “by applying a high index sunscreen to the lips and around the edges and by avoiding exposure during the hottest hours of the day: from 12 noon to 4 p.m. »

You can still kiss when you have herpes labialis. FALSE

Don’t do it! The fever blister is highly contagious throughout the entire outbreak, from the onset of symptoms to the crust,” says the pharmacy doctor. Beware of oral sex during the outbreak period to avoid contamination of the partner’s genital mucosa. In addition, it is known that there are periods of asymptomatic excretion of the virus in the saliva of patients, which could be a source of contamination (low risk). »

Beware of the cold. TRUE

Like the sun, cold is an ‘enemy’ of cold sores. Chapped lips and a small cut can promote the reactivation of this vicious virus . “So, in winter, we protect our lips from the cold with a moisturizing balm,” advises France Viroux.

Stress favors the appearance of a fever blister. TRUE

Stress weakens the immune system, so it can lead to the appearance of a fever blister. “This is why it is interesting to boost your diet with foods rich in vitamin C,” recommends the doctor of pharmacy. Among the foods richest in vitamin C are yellow bell pepper, blackcurrant, parsley, Brussels sprouts, kiwi, strawberry, orange, lemon, grapefruit.

The fever blister can be caught by contact with an animal. FALSE

Herpes virus from animals is not contagious to humans. It is only contagious to other animals. Therefore, it cannot be caught.

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