A survey carried out by skincare brand LipQ on 1000 cold sores sufferers found that 70% admitted their cold sores had ruined at least one kiss in the past. Almost 50% % admitted that they had cancelled at least one date due to cold sore outbreaks while 30% admitted they would rather risk missing the chance for a kiss by cancelling a date than let their dates see them with cold sores.
The herpes cold sore virus can be picked up from one simple kiss with an infected person, which is why over 30 million people in the UK carry the virus.
Dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh gives her six top tips on avoiding or catching a cold sore from kissing;
- Covet A Cold Sore-Preventing Balm
A trial by the Herpes Virus Association found that a lip balm containing a highly concentrated extract of glycyrrhizic acid (liquorice root) reduced the severity and duration of cold sore outbreaks for over 73% of subjects tested and, furthermore, 83% of subjects using the Lip Q Liquorice Balm (www.lipq.co.uk) reported experiencing less severe outbreaks. While using the Liquorice Balm helped reduce the frequency and intensity of cold sore outbreaks if used regularly.
Marian Nicholson from the Herpes Viruses Association says; “Lip Q Liquorice Balm performed well with respondents showing a marked reduction in severity and duration of their cold sore outbreaks. In light of this research we are happy to recommend this treatment to our members, especially as its natural yet effective.”
- Fake It Don’t Bake It
Before you head out into the glorious sun during this mini heatwave to top up your tan, think twice if you suffer from cold sores.
The main trigger for cold sore outbreaks is UV light. UV light damages the immune system in the skin, which is why sun often triggers a cold sore
If you really want a sun kissed complexion its safer all round and especially if you suffer from cold sores to go for a fake tan product than sunbathing.
- Hold On The Hangovers
A lowered immune system is high in the risk factor for a cold sore outbreak and so getting drunk enough to end up with a hangover means that you temporarily low your immune system, which can raise the risk of a cold sore outbreak.
- No Nuts
The cold sore virus requires arginine (amino acid) to replicate and thrive in your body. Depriving the virus of arginine can help reduce the duration and severity of a cold sores.
Nuts and seeds are one of the richest sources of arginine so to ensure you reduce your risk of a cold sore outbreak, skip the muesli and step away from the bar nuts.
- Cut Out Crusty Stuff
Summer means crusty rolls and crisps are BBQ staples.
Any trauma to the lips can trigger a cold sore outbreak and aside from chapping from dehydrated lips, abrasive foods such as crusty bread and crisps, are the easiest way to damage lips and risk a cold sore outbreak.
Even tiny micro cuts from crusty breads and crisps to the lips and corners of the mouth raise the risk of triggering a cold sore. Stick to soft bread and avoid crisps.
- Leave Out The Lipstick
Anything that dries out the lips in a hazard to lips prone to cold sores and matt lipsticks and long-stay lipsticks are particular culprits.
The very ‘mattness’ of matt lipsticks relies on drawing moisture out of the lips using chalk-based ingredients for the colour to stay put for longer and for there to be no shine.
Avoid matt lipsticks and long stay lipsticks. Stick to moisturising lip balms instead.