From the return of winter and low temperatures, you feel this tingling at the level of the lips. No doubt, it’s the first cold sore of the season coming. Also called genital herpes – the cold sore is caused by the herpes virus HSV1 – it can last between 7 and 12 days and initially manifests itself by small tingling, itching or burning that affects either the mouth or the around the lips.
They are contagious from the arrival of the first tingling. Before healing, the vesicles full of liquid pierce, ooze and then end up forming a crust.
Cold sores occur frequently during periods of menstruation in women, fever, fatigue or stress. According to health insurance, nearly 80% of the French population would harbor the herpes virus. Indeed, once you are infected with the HSV1 virus, it lies dormant in the body and remains there for life.
Cold and cold sores
The onset of cold weather can easily reactivate the appearance of this hidden virus. Dry or chapped lips, cuts… Each small lesion can be a triggering factor. The temperature changes may also be responsible, hence a number of cases triggered at the start of winter.
If the virus will never disappear from your body, there are nevertheless effective antiviral treatments in the very first hours of the cold sore. Patches, creams or lotions can be prescribed by the doctor to alleviate symptoms or even be available without a prescription. But prior to their arrival, certain behaviors can make it possible to manage them even before they appear.
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