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Herpes simplex is a common viral infection that attacks the skin and nervous system, and produces small, sometimes painful blisters on or near the mouth and nose. These are commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters. They can be very distressing for the individual as they are tender and "unattractive".

Early symptoms include a burning, tingling or itching sensation around the edges of the lips or nose. Within a matter of hours, small red areas develop. These are followed by the formation of blisters that are filled with a sticky fluid. As the blisters enlarge, they rupture and the fluid leaks and forms crusts. In most cases, the herpes attack usually runs its course in two or three weeks without leaving a trace.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus. Following the initial outbreak, the virus usually lies dormant in the skin or in nerve tissue until something triggers another eruption. Often the trigger is unknown, but in some people overexposure to sunlight, fever, physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menstruation, or certain foods and drugs seem to reactivate the virus.

Most mild cold sores usually clear up without treatment. Over-the-counter medications are available and sometimes help the sore from drying out but usually make no difference to how long you have the cold sore . If you get cold sores often, your doctor may prescribe acyclovir, which can decrease their severity. In order for this to be effective it must be used as soon as you start to have symptoms of tingling and burning. If applied after the first 24 hours of eruption it has little effect. You can also take acetaminophen or ibuprofen or apply ice to the sores to relieve pain. Try not to touch cold sores, and then touch other areas of the skin or you could spread the infection. There is some evidence that oral sex (touching the genitals of another person with your mouth while you have a cold sore) can transmit the virus. Try to avoid this activity if you have any symptoms.

The herpes virus is always present in the skin or nearby nerve tissue and stays with us for life. Although you may not always be able to prevent outbreaks, there are ways to reduce their frequency. When in the sunlight, use a sunscreen with a minimum protection factor of 15 or one that contains benzoic acid. Learn to handle stress, exercise regularly and get adequate rest.

In both the initial and subsequent outbreaks, the herpes simplex virus is highly contagious. You should try not to touch a cold sore and you should wash your hands frequently.