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A cold sore, sometimes called a "fever blister," is a blister or sore which usually appears on the outside of the lips or mouth. It is different from a canker sore, which appears inside the mouth. Cold sores may appear just once in a person's life, or return again and again. Before you actually get a cold sore, you may feel a tingling, itching, or burning sensation beneath the surface of the skin, usually around the mouth or base of the nose. This is the first sign of a cold sore, called the prodrome stage.
Cold sores are extremely common – it is estimated that, in the United States,
80%-90% of the population has been infected by the cold sore virus by the time they are 50 years old. Only about 30% of those infected with the virus actually ever get a cold sore.
Cold sores are caused by a virus and are considered a medical condition. Cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is part of the same family that causes chickenpox, shingles (herpes zoster), and genital herpes (HSV-2).
Cold sores can be different for each person, but, in general, an outbreak lasts about 7 to 10 days and occurs 3 or 4 times a year. Although experts still don't know all of the ways a cold sore can be triggered, some of the things that can cause a cold sore include:
- Stress, tiredness, or being "run-down"
- A cold, fever, or the flu
- Exposure to the sun
- Hormonal changes, such as from menstruation or pregnancy
- Trauma, such as shaving, cuts, dental work, facial/cosmetic surgery
 | Cold sores are very contagious and can be spread through physical contact. Talk to your healthcare provider. Click here to learn more. |
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