Skincare Treated

Why Do I Have Cold Sores?

Cold sores are clusters of small, red blisters filled with fluid and usually erupt on the lips, mouth and nose. It’s an irritating and painful skin condition, leaving many patients wondering “why do I have cold sores?”

Viral Disease

The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. There are two kinds – Type 1 and Type 2. While the Type1 virus is usually associated with cold sores, the Type 2 virus commonly causes genital herpes.

The herpes simplex virus enters the body through a break in the skin and travels up the nerves till it reaches the root of the nerve cells, called the ganglion.

Some people are infected with herpes simplex virus but do not get cold sores. This is because the herpes simplex virus can remain latent or dormant and hidden for a long time.

Activating the Virus

Different factors can activate the virus causing it to travel down the nerves to the skin, causing a tingling and burning sensation. The virus then begins to replicate in the skin cells, destroying the cells and causing blisters or cold sores.

Cold sores are highly contagious. The infection is spread by touching a cold sore or coming in contact with the infected fluid by kissing and other close skin contact.

Infected saliva is a common means of spreading the virus. Parents often spread the infection to their children in this way.

Highly Contagious

The stage when a person is most contagious is when they have active fluid-filled blisters. However, the virus can be transmitted by a person with or without symptoms. This is because the virus can be shed in saliva in the absence of cold sores.

The herpes simplex virus never completely leaves the body, leading to recurrent attacks of cold sores. This seems to partially answer the question “why do I have cold sores?”

Common Triggers

Fever, influenza, colds, stress, prolonged exposure to sunlight and skin injury can cause cold sores to recur. In some people, the problem may come back within a month, while in others it may take years to recur.

But the condition is less likely to recur after the age of 35.

Cold sores are not a life-threatening disease but it is one that disfigures the area where the blisters erupt. In rare cases, cold sores can also break out on the fingers, gums and roof of the mouth.

Since there is no cure for the disease, it is important to answer the question “why do I have cold sores?” This is because understanding the problem can lead to appropriate treatment.