Cold sores, also commonly known as fever blisters, are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), often medically referred to as recurrent herpes labialis. Don’t panic! HSV-1 is different from genital herpes, which are caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is extremely easy to get HSV-1. Approximately 67 percent of the population has HSV-1, and 25 percent of people have experienced reoccurring cold sores.

The reason it is so common and so easily spread is partly because most people with HSV-1 may experience no symptoms at all. It’s important to remember that even if you show no symptoms, you are still contagious and can spread the virus. Cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth and lips and can be itchy, painful, and irritating, and symptoms tend to last about eight to ten days.

Causes of Cold Sores

Cold sores are very easily spread. Because nearly two-thirds of the population has HSV-1 and might not show symptoms, relatives can pass it off to children when kissing them without even realizing. Besides catching HSV-1 from someone else, there are also several common causes of cold sores:

• Stress: If you’re stressed out, you probably have a weakened immune system, which allows cold sores to appear. Relax and destress to keep your immune system in check!
• Cold/Fever: Once again, if you have a compromised immune system, your body is not doing its job to fight off infections. Fevers lead to fever blisters!
• Fatigue: Get a good night’s sleep in order to avoid waking up with a cold sore.
• Cold Weather: Harsh winds and cooler temperatures can dry out skin and cause cold sores. Bundle up!
• Sun Exposure: Watch out for harmful UV rays that can trigger cold sores. Use sunscreen!

Although the actual cause of cold sores is due to herpes simplex virus type 1, the common causes above can lead to an outbreak of cold sores.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about cold sores concerning how they are spread, where they can spread to, and how to treat them. Below are a list of myths about cold sores.

• Cold sores can only appear around the mouth. FALSE. Yes, cold sores will usually appear around the lips and mouth, but if you touch your cold sore and then touch your eye, tiny blisters can spread to that area, and that’s not something anyone wants—trust me.
• If you don’t have any cold sores, you don’t have HSV-1. FALSE.Oftentimes, HSV-1 shows no symptoms. It’s possible you have never experienced a cold sore, but you still have herpes simplex virus type 1.
• If you don’t have any cold sores, you can’t spread the virus. FALSE. HSV-1 is contagious and can easily spread through direct contact with the contagious area. This means kissing or sharing silverware, makeup, or anything else that comes into contact with the infected area. I know sharing is caring, but everyone will appreciate it if you keep this to yourself.
• Ice gets rid of cold sores. FALSE. Holding ice on the infected area may temporarily relieve the burning and itching sensation, but it will not make your cold sore go away any faster. Using Quickmend® provides instant cool relief and helps to get rid of the cold sore.

Cold sores, also commonly known as fever blisters, are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), often medically referred to as recurrent herpes labialis. Don’t panic! HSV-1 is different from genital herpes, which are caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is extremely easy to get HSV-1. Approximately 67 percent of the population has HSV-1, and 25 percent of people have experienced reoccurring cold sores.

The reason it is so common and so easily spread is partly because most people with HSV-1 may experience no symptoms at all. It’s important to remember that even if you show no symptoms, you are still contagious and can spread the virus. Cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth and lips and can be itchy, painful, and irritating, and symptoms tend to last about eight to ten days.

Causes of Cold Sores

Cold sores are very easily spread. Because nearly two-thirds of the population has HSV-1 and might not show symptoms, relatives can pass it off to children when kissing them without even realizing. Besides catching HSV-1 from someone else, there are also several common causes of cold sores:

• Stress: If you’re stressed out, you probably have a weakened immune system, which allows cold sores to appear. Relax and destress to keep your immune system in check!
• Cold/Fever: Once again, if you have a compromised immune system, your body is not doing its job to fight off infections. Fevers lead to fever blisters!
• Fatigue: Get a good night’s sleep in order to avoid waking up with a cold sore.
• Cold Weather: Harsh winds and cooler temperatures can dry out skin and cause cold sores. Bundle up!
• Sun Exposure: Watch out for harmful UV rays that can trigger cold sores. Use sunscreen!

Although the actual cause of cold sores is due to herpes simplex virus type 1, the common causes above can lead to an outbreak of cold sores.

Ways to Avoid Cold Sores

There are tons of easy ways to combat a cold sore outbreak. Get plenty of sleep, stop eating the Saturday night junk food you regret every Sunday morning, and wash your hands! These rules will strengthen your immune system and keep you from getting sick. By avoiding illness you can fight back against cold sores.

HSV-1, even when symptomless, can be very easily spread. If you know you have HSV-1, or if you have painful cold sores, avoid sharing utensils, toothbrushes (hopefully you don’t share those anyway), Chap Stick, or anything else that comes in close contact with the skin around your mouth. If you notice a blister or small cluster of blisters appearing around your lips and mouth, do not touch it. Apply Quickmend® at the first sign and as often as necessary until the cold sore is gone. If you do touch the area, wash your hands immediately to avoid spreading the cold sore to other parts of your body.

How to Tell You Have a Cold Sore

Cold sores can be painful, hot, and itchy and appear mostly around the lips and mouth. When these blisters appear on the skin, they usually last for an average of eight to ten days. However, although they are easy to spot when they break through the surface, you may experience a tingling or itching sensation in the same spot under the skin one to two days before the blister appears.

If you recognize these symptoms, apply Quickmend® to shorten the life of the cold sore. Keep in mind that the virus is easily spread, and be sure to wash hands often. Cold sores are sometimes thought to be the same as canker sores, but they are very different. Canker sores are painful ulcers that form inside the mouth but are not the cause of a virus.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about cold sores concerning how they are spread, where they can spread to, and how to treat them. Below are a list of myths about cold sores.

• Cold sores can only appear around the mouth. FALSE. Yes, cold sores will usually appear around the lips and mouth, but if you touch your cold sore and then touch your eye, tiny blisters can spread to that area, and that’s not something anyone wants—trust me.
• If you don’t have any cold sores, you don’t have HSV-1. FALSE.Oftentimes, HSV-1 shows no symptoms. It’s possible you have never experienced a cold sore, but you still have herpes simplex virus type 1.
• If you don’t have any cold sores, you can’t spread the virus. FALSE. HSV-1 is contagious and can easily spread through direct contact with the contagious area. This means kissing or sharing silverware, makeup, or anything else that comes into contact with the infected area. I know sharing is caring, but everyone will appreciate it if you keep this to yourself.
• Ice gets rid of cold sores. FALSE. Holding ice on the infected area may temporarily relieve the burning and itching sensation, but it will not make your cold sore go away any faster. Using Quickmend® provides instant cool relief and helps to get rid of the cold sore.

Cold sores, also commonly known as fever blisters, are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), often medically referred to as recurrent herpes labialis. Don’t panic! HSV-1 is different from genital herpes, which are caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is extremely easy to get HSV-1. Approximately 67 percent of the population has HSV-1, and 25 percent of people have experienced reoccurring cold sores.

The reason it is so common and so easily spread is partly because most people with HSV-1 may experience no symptoms at all. It’s important to remember that even if you show no symptoms, you are still contagious and can spread the virus. Cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth and lips and can be itchy, painful, and irritating, and symptoms tend to last about eight to ten days.

Causes of Cold Sores

Cold sores are very easily spread. Because nearly two-thirds of the population has HSV-1 and might not show symptoms, relatives can pass it off to children when kissing them without even realizing. Besides catching HSV-1 from someone else, there are also several common causes of cold sores:

• Stress: If you’re stressed out, you probably have a weakened immune system, which allows cold sores to appear. Relax and destress to keep your immune system in check!

• Cold/Fever: Once again, if you have a compromised immune system, your body is not doing its job to fight off infections. Fevers lead to fever blisters!

• Fatigue: Get a good night’s sleep in order to avoid waking up with a cold sore.

• Cold Weather: Harsh winds and cooler temperatures can dry out skin and cause cold sores. Bundle up!

• Sun Exposure: Watch out for harmful UV rays that can trigger cold sores. Use sunscreen!

Although the actual cause of cold sores is due to herpes simplex virus type 1, the common causes above can lead to an outbreak of cold sores.

Ways to Avoid Cold Sores

There are tons of easy ways to combat a cold sore outbreak. Get plenty of sleep, stop eating the Saturday night junk food you regret every Sunday morning, and wash your hands! These rules will strengthen your immune system and keep you from getting sick. By avoiding illness you can fight back against cold sores.

HSV-1, even when symptomless, can be very easily spread. If you know you have HSV-1, or if you have painful cold sores, avoid sharing utensils, toothbrushes (hopefully you don’t share those anyway), Chap Stick, or anything else that comes in close contact with the skin around your mouth. If you notice a blister or small cluster of blisters appearing around your lips and mouth, do not touch it. Apply Quickmend® at the first sign and as often as necessary until the cold sore is gone. If you do touch the area, wash your hands immediately to avoid spreading the cold sore to other parts of your body.

How to Tell You Have a Cold Sore

Cold sores can be painful, hot, and itchy and appear mostly around the lips and mouth. When these blisters appear on the skin, they usually last for an average of eight to ten days. However, although they are easy to spot when they break through the surface, you may experience a tingling or itching sensation in the same spot under the skin one to two days before the blister appears.

If you recognize these symptoms, apply Quickmend® to shorten the life of the cold sore. Keep in mind that the virus is easily spread, and be sure to wash hands often. Cold sores are sometimes thought to be the same as canker sores, but they are very different. Canker sores are painful ulcers that form inside the mouth but are not the cause of a virus.

Misconceptions

There are several misconceptions about cold sores concerning how they are spread, where they can spread to, and how to treat them. Below are a list of myths about cold sores.

• Cold sores can only appear around the mouth. FALSE. Yes, cold sores will usually appear around the lips and mouth, but if you touch your cold sore and then touch your eye, tiny blisters can spread to that area, and that’s not something anyone wants—trust me.

• If you don’t have any cold sores, you don’t have HSV-1. FALSE.Oftentimes, HSV-1 shows no symptoms. It’s possible you have never experienced a cold sore, but you still have herpes simplex virus type 1.

• If you don’t have any cold sores, you can’t spread the virus. FALSE. HSV-1 is contagious and can easily spread through direct contact with the contagious area. This means kissing or sharing silverware, makeup, or anything else that comes into contact with the infected area. I know sharing is caring, but everyone will appreciate it if you keep this to yourself.

• Ice gets rid of cold sores. FALSE. Holding ice on the infected area may temporarily relieve the burning and itching sensation, but it will not make your cold sore go away any faster. Using Quickmend® provides instant cool relief and helps to get rid of the cold sore.