A lot of people get cold sores, which are also called fever blisters, because of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). They usually show up as small, painful burns on or near the lips, and you may also feel itching, burning, and tingling. Even though cold sores are usually safe, they can be painful and unsightly, making the person who has them feel bad about themselves. There are a lot of good ways to get rid of cold sores and make your lips healthier in general.
One type of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is the main cause of cold sores. However, type 2 (HSV-2) can also be to blame. It’s very simple to spread HSV-1. If you touch someone, who has it or shares things like lip balm, blankets, or cooking tools, you could get it.
Once the virus gets into the body, it sleeps in nerve cells until something sets it off, like stress, being tired, changes in hormones, being in the sun, or a weak immune system. When the virus is turned on, it copies itself and goes to the surface of the skin, where it causes cold sore symptoms.
