Cold sores

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore is an inflammation of the skin caused by the herpes virus. This involves the formation of blisters on or around your lips that itch, tingle or hurt. The blisters contain fluid and may appear in other places, such as your nose, chin or eyelids. After a few days, they dry up and a scab forms. Usually a cold sore heals on its own within 10 days.

How do you get a cold sore?

The cause of a cold sore is the herpes virus. You usually get this virus through direct contact, such as kissing or sharing personal items like cutlery or lip balm. Many people already carry the virus without having symptoms. The virus remains in your body for life and can become active again due to factors such as sunlight, stress, fever or a weakened immune system. When the virus becomes active, a burning or itching sensation often occurs first, followed by the blisters.

How to prevent spreading?

A cold sore is contagious, especially if the blisters are open. To avoid infecting others:

Don't touch the cold sore.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
Don't share personal items.
Don't kiss or hug others and avoid oral sex.

Treating a cold sore

A cold sore usually heals on its own, but there are creams and gels that can relieve the symptoms or speed up healing slightly. You can buy these products at the pharmacy or drugstore, such as zinc sulfate and zinc oxide. Both work slightly astringent and protective, and help blisters dry out. They can relieve itching and pain, but do not prevent the cold sore from returning later.

Zinc sulfate
Zinc sulfate has a mild astringent and protective effect. Zinc sulfate relieves itching and pain. In addition, it is said to inhibit the growth of viruses. It should be used until the blisters have dried.

Zinc sulfate does not prevent the cold sore from returning later. Thus, the virus remains present in the facial nerves. You can counteract the burning tingling sensation with zinc sulfate. It is available in a gel or oily cream.
Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide has a slight astringent and protective effect on the skin. Depending on the base in which it is incorporated, it also acts as a drying, itching or cooling agent. It should be used until the blisters have dried.

Zinc oxide does not prevent the cold sore from returning later. Thus, the virus remains present in the facial nerves. You can counteract the burning tingling sensation with zinc oxide. It's available in ointment (zinc ointment) or liniment (zinc oil).
Antiviral medications
Antiviral medications used with a cold sore have a small effect. You can use these medications to try to make the cold sore go away a little faster. They do not prevent the cold sore from returning later. This is because they do not kill the virus. So the virus remains present in the facial nerves. Examples are aciclovir and valaciclovir.
Aciclovir is sometimes used together with hydrocortisone in a cream.
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When to contact your family doctor?

Contact your family doctor if you often have a severe cold sore, get blisters near your eyes or if you have diminished immunity due to chemotherapy, for example. Also, if you are pregnant or have blisters on your genitals, it is wise to consult your doctor.