MythBusters: The Truth about Cold Sores

Debunk myths & learn the facts about cold sores with our MythBusters guide! Find effective treatments & prevention tips. Bust the blisters now!

Everyone hates cold sores. They’re often painful, they look terrible, and they’re just plain gross. And yet, as common as cold sores are, there are still some myths about them in wide circulation. These myths can actually be quite harmful, as they often leave people feeling an inappropriate sense of shame or even guilt.

Discerning fact from fiction can help you avoid contracting cold sores. Knowing the facts will also help you effectively treat any that do pop up. Listed below are the seven most common myths you need to be aware of along with the facts you need to deal with them.

Myth #1: Cold sores only occur around the mouth.

You may know them all too well. Massive cold sores can plague the corners of your lips. You can’t stop mindlessly running your tongue over them and caking your lips with Carmex. Be wary; it’s not true that cold sores will only pop up around your mouth. They can spread and show up in other parts of the body if you’re not careful.

For example, cold sores can also appear on your tongue or the inside of your cheeks. By constantly licking your wound, you might be spreading the virus around the inside of your mouth. This is one more reason to stop touching your mouth during a cold sore breakout. In very rare circumstances you can get cold sores around your eyes. If this happens, seek care from a medical professional immediately.

You might be aware that cold sores are a type of herpes. Clarification here will be helpful. The main cause of genital herpes is the HSV-2 virus. Cold sores, on the other hand, are caused by the HSV-1 virus. Either or both can be spread by sexual contact. If that happens, you’ll need some form of genital herpes treatment as well as cold sore treatment to fight the battle on two fronts.

Myth #2: You can only contract cold sores through kissing.

Since cold sores typically appear around the mouth, many worry about close contact when seeking to avoid transmission. However, HSV-1 can be passed as easily as sharing a water bottle. Skin-to-skin contact isn’t required to spread the virus.

It’s important to note that avoiding direct contact is still the best way to stop a cold sore outbreak. Just remember to be careful about sharing anything else that comes into contact with your mouth. This includes cups, silverware, musical instruments, water bottles, and even bath towels. Another great reason to break that habit of chewing pencils or pens!

Myth #3: Everyone with the HSV-1 virus will have visible sores.

The textbook case of cold sores appears around the mouth in an embarrassing fashion. The myth here is that the HSV-1 virus always manifests itself with visible sores. Not true. There are plenty of people who carry the HSV-1 virus but are asymptomatic.

That being said, don’t be surprised if you end up getting a cold sore from another person even though they showed no signs of an outbreak. This reality makes it more challenging to avoid contracting the virus. However, it can’t be helped other than by adopting hygienic practices.

Sometimes, cold sores can be accompanied by other symptoms such as a fever or headache. While these signs don’t necessarily point toward HSV-1 as the culprit, it’s safe to assume that you should be extra careful. Keep the virus in mind as you deal with other symptoms. Additionally, cold sore symptoms might not manifest immediately after transmission. There might be a symptom-free delay between when the virus spread and when it was diagnosed.

Myth #4: Cold sores only appear in the winter.

It’s true that cold sores tend to be more common during the winter months. This is partially tied to the colder temperatures and times when the body is battling both the common cold and flu symptoms. The myth is that cold sores happen only in the winter. Not true. They can show up at any time of year.

Yes, your chances of getting a cold sore can be increased by the cold winter wind. They can also be increased by the heat of the beating summer sun. A cut on your lip can happen at any time of year and serve as a landing spot for the virus. Simply stated, anything that cuts or chaps your lips or breaks down your immune system can lead to a cold sore.

Myth #5: Once your cold sores disappear, you’re immune.

When cold sores finally go away, don’t think you’re over the hump just yet. HSV-1 doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it remains dormant within your body until it’s activated again. Unfortunately, this means that cold sores can always come back at some point.

Not all viruses remain within the body forever. Some can be eradicated by vaccines. Your immune system can help build up its defenses for the next attack. HSV-1 is, sadly, one of the lingerers. If you have chronic cold sore problems, this is at least part of the reason.

Myth #6: A natural remedy is all you need.

There are plenty of natural remedies designed to alleviate the symptoms of a cold sore. Unfortunately, nothing you do at home will cause a cold sore to heal any faster. The truth is that you’ll need a prescription or over-the-counter medication to get rid of cold sores quickly.

If you still want to try some home remedies, you can try using ice to reduce pain and inflammation for starters. There are plenty of other suggestions for home treatments such as aloe vera, peppermint oil, and even sunscreen. Just remember that there is no substitute for modern medicine and its advanced capabilities for controlling and eradicating cold sores.

Myth #7: Cold sores and canker sores are the same things.

You may have heard people use the terms cold sore and canker sore interchangeably. The reality is that these are two distinct conditions.

While cold sores are caused by a virus, canker sores are not. Canker sores are ulcers in the mouth and lips. They may at times look similar but are entirely different in nature. It’s also important to note that canker sores are not contagious and usually clear up on their own. However, you can talk to your doctor about oral medications and mouthwashes to help clear things up.

Cold sores are never fun, but busting these myths can help make them less emotionally painful if they do come around. Be proactive with your health. Stay clean. Eat right. Do what you can so that you don’t experience anything more than a minor cold sore inconvenience.