I have a question about cold sores?

my fiance thinks i might have a cold sore but im not sure. its on my mouth in the corner. and this is i think the second time ive gotten on in the past few weeks. its always when im at my mother in laws house and my allergies are bothering me and my lips are really chapped, and i have a habit of picking the dead skin off my lips. is it true cold sores are std's? i've only been with the same guy for the past couple years. could it have anything to do with being on birth control...like a side effect or something conteracting with other meds? what can i do to stop this? whatever it is?

I have a question about cold sores?
Cold sores are just that... a cold sore... it is a form of std but dont worry about it. Everyone gets them. There are several types of Stds. Dont get yourself worked up over it. Next time you go to the doctor mention it to him maybe he can tell you what is making yours flare up at certain times or like you said could be allergies. All kinds of things can cause them even bad diets, with no veggies. the cold, allergies, if you keep getting them often you should go to the doctor to see what is causing them. When you feel one starting up put ice on it, and take vitamins E and C.
Reply:Stop kissing him!
Reply:There is a BIG difference between what you have and a cold sore! It could be a cold sore...but I bet it isn't. I think it is just as you said from dry, cracked lips! Cold sores are a form of herpes which is an std. But if you want to be sure you need to see a Dr.
Reply:Cold sores are caused by a virus. It's NOT an std. It has nothing to do with your medications.


What happens is, when you're stressed, they tend to flare up and it's very possible to develop them within weeks of each other.


If these are cold sores, your doctor can prescribe "Valtrex" to control them. Once you have the virus, it will always be in your system.


Go see your doctor to find out if this is what you have.
Reply:a cold sore is a form of an std. it's either simplex 1 or 2 compared to genital herpes. if you think you have one DO NOT do anything sexual to yourself or your husband because it can be transmitted into gential herpes. yes it's true you can give yourself genital herpes if you're not careful with your cold sore. they have no association with birth control. you may also have very chapped lips. buy a lip mosturizer and apply it when needed. if you're lip symptoms still exist go see a doctor.
Reply:HSV type 1 most commonly infects the mouth and lips, causing sores known as fever blisters or cold sores. It is also an important cause of sores to the genitals.


HSV type 2 is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it also can infect the mouth.





The virus lays dormant under the skin until your immune system lowers which causes a flare-up. Stress (i.e. in-laws) can affect the immune system. When I have a cold sore I don't perform oral sex until it's resolved.


OTC medications oral and topical work fine, which one depends on personal preferrence. I just use the L-Lysine diet supplement which lowers the severity of my sores. All sores last 10-14 days. If it lasts longer than 2 wks get is checked out by the dentist. If the sore or sores prevent you from eating you can use OTC agents like orajel to numb the area or see the dentist who can rx you a "viscous lidocaine" which is the same numbing agent the dentist use to numb you for procedures.


I also have a habit of "tearing" at the sore and/or biting my lips to take off the dead skin. I try not to at the time of an outbreak to prevent the sore from spreading.
Reply:Herpes viruses are contagious. Contact may occur directly, or through contact with infected razors, towels, dishes, and other shared articles.


Diagnosis is made on the basis of the appearance or culture of the lesion. Examination may also show enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck or groin. Viral culture or Tzanck test of the skin lesion may reveal the herpes simplex virus.


Please see the webpages for more details and images on Herpes labialis and Herpes simplex.