A cold sore on the lips appears when infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1. For the first time, a person may encounter it in early childhood: when kissing, using cutlery with adults, as well as airborne droplets when sneezing and coughing. The widespread prevalence is due to the properties of the virus itself (resistance in the external environment), as well as a decrease in immunity. Stress, unhealthy habits, occupational hazards, malnutrition and lack of vitamins reduce disease resistance.
Infection
The causative agent of the virus enters the body and remains throughout life in a "dormant" state, periodically causing manifestations of the disease in the form of bubbles on the skin and mucous membranes. Episodes occur with varying degrees of severity and localization. Herpes is especially often observed on the lips, nasal mucosa, but it can also be on the eyes, cheeks, in the genital area. A relapse of a cold on the lips can be provoked by: ● hypothermia; ● colds and other viral or bacterial infections; ● overwork; ● stress; ● lack of vitamins and exhaustion; ● diets with insufficient amounts of nutrients; ● overuse of tanning, sunburn. In one group of people, a cold on the lips rarely occurs, delivering only an aesthetic inconvenience. But for people with severely reduced immunity, the presence of the herpes virus in the body can lead to serious problems. For example, in AIDS patients, cancer patients, people who have undergone organ transplants, herpes simplex virus can cause damage to internal organs.
Treatment
General treatment boils down to the following: ● taking antiviral drugs; ● following a high-calorie diet, drinking plenty of fluids; ● general strengthening therapy - vitamin C, multivitamins; ● if necessary - taking analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Prevention
First of all, the prevention of colds on the lips is to strengthen the immune system. In addition, it is important to observe the following rules: 1. Do not touch lips that are affected by rashes. If this happens, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, as the virus can be spread to the eyes or genitals from the lesion on the lips. 2. Use a separate towel and utensils. 3. Do not squeeze out bubbles or peel off the crusts. This can cause additional skin infection. 4. For a while, give up kissing and oral-genital contact. 5. Apply the antiviral cream to the lips with cosmetic sticks without touching the affected area with your fingers. 6. Be careful if you want to mask a cold on your lips with makeup. Lipstick, powder, cream can be infected, which in the future will cause re-infection. Today, medicine does not know a way to completely get rid of herpes. But the right therapy prevents frequent breakouts. In addition, taking medications reduces the likelihood of transmission of the disease to loved ones.
