What are the causes of cold sores?
Cold sores and herpetic lesions in general – whether they are on the face, genitals, fingers and hands, or anywhere else – are highly contagious. You can become infected from contact with anyone who has an active lesion. This usually happens by direct contact or as a result of sharing eating utensils, razors or towels. Anyone with an open skin condition (psoriasis, eczema or atopic dermatitis) or a suppressed immune system (infants, elderly, patients with cancer, AIDS or an organ transplant) is more susceptible to contracting the virus. What is the conventional treatment? HSV outbreaks are uncomfortable and not very pretty, but fortunately, they usually go away on their own within 10 days, even without treatment. It may be important to see a physician if your cold sore doesn’t heal on its own, if the symptoms are severe and difficult to treat or they keep recurring, if you develop eye symptoms or have a pre-existing condition that has compromised your immune system. HSV infection of th
