Protect Your Cold Sore

Don't Infect - Protect Your Cold Sore with the Lip Clear Invisible Cold Sore Bandage

Cold sores are ugly, embarrassing and painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, cold sores spread from person to person by close personal contact, such as kissing. Cold sores are caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) closely related to the one that causes genital herpes (HSV-2). Both of these herpes simplex viruses can affect your mouth or your genitals, and can be spread via oral sex.

There's no cure for HSV infection and the blisters may recur sporadically - often in response to stress or a weakened immune system. Antiviral medications can help cold sores heal more quickly and may reduce the frequency of recurrences. Ointments (such as Acyclovir or Lip Clear Lysine+) can shorten the healing time for cold sores. But they don't prevent recurrences, or the transmission of the virus.

Now there's help. The Lip Clear Invisible Cold Sore Bandage covers the sore, protects it from irritants and contaminants, and prevents contact that can spread of the virus.

Most people contract the first episode of herpes infection from someone who has an active lesion, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Shared eating utensils, razors and towels, as well as kissing, may spread HSV-1. Oral sex can spread HSV-1 to the genitals and HSV-2 (genital herpes) to the lips. Although the Lip Clear Bandage is not foolproof, it can serve to prevent accidental contact, and protect against transmission of the virus. Obviously, one should continue to practice common sense precautions (such as not kissing anyone while you have an active cold sore, even if you are using the bandage).

While cold sores are most contagious when they are oozing fluid, the virus can be transmitted to others even during times when you have no blisters. This is called "asymptomatic transmission".

Once you've had an episode of herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells and may emerge again as an active infection at or near the original site. Recurrence may be triggered by fevers, a compromised immune system, menstruation, or exposure to the sun.

To help avoid spreading cold sores to other people or to other parts of your own body, you might try some of the following precautions:

• Avoid skin contact with others while blisters are present.
  • The virus spreads most easily when there are moist secretions from the blisters.
• Be careful about touching other parts of your body.
  • Your eyes and genital area may be particularly susceptible to spread of the virus.
• Avoid sharing items.
  • Utensils, towels, lip balm and other items can spread the virus when blisters are present.
• Keep your hands clean.
  • Wash your hands carefully before touching another person when you have a cold sore.
• Use the Lip Clear Invisible Cold Sore Bandage.
  • The bandage prevents accidental contact with towels, utensils and toothbrushes. It also prevents you from contacting your cold sore with your tongue or fingers, which can infect other areas of your own body. Equally important, the Bandage speeds healing, and helps to hide the cold sore.

For more information about the Lip Clear Invisible Cold Sore Bandage, click here.