Cat - Cond - Cold Sores
Modified on Thu, 15 Oct at 10:20 AM
| 1. What causes cold sores? Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1. Most people carry the virus, and once you have it, it stays in the body for life and can reactivate from time to time, often when you are run down, stressed or exposed to strong sun. |
| 2. Are cold sores contagious? Yes, cold sores are contagious, especially while blisters are present and weeping. Avoid kissing and sharing lip products, cutlery, cups or towels during an outbreak, try not to touch the sore, and wash your hands often to avoid spreading it. |
| 3. Can cold sores be cured? No. Because they are caused by a virus that stays in the body, cold sores cannot be cured, though they usually clear on their own. Antiviral creams or tablets from a pharmacy can help with an active outbreak, and keeping lips nourished and protected is sensible daily care in between. |
| 4. What is the first sign of a cold sore? The first sign is usually a tingling, itching or burning feeling on the lip, often a day or so before a blister appears. This is known as the tingle stage, and it is the point at which many people reach for a soothing gel. |
| 5. How long do cold sores last? A cold sore usually clears on its own within about two weeks, moving through the tingle, blister, weeping, crusting and healing stages. If yours lasts longer than two weeks or is unusually severe, see a pharmacist or GP. |
| 6. What triggers a cold sore? Common triggers include being run down or unwell, stress, strong sun and UV, cold and windy weather, hormonal changes such as around your period, and lip injury or very dry, chapped lips. Triggers vary from person to person. |
| 7. How does liquorice relate to cold sores? Liquorice root extract is a natural source of glycyrrhizic acid, the compound that has been studied in relation to cold sores. LipQ combines liquorice with nourishing oils and protective waxes as daily care for cold sore-prone lips, and the Liquorice Balm has been trialled with the Herpes Viruses Association. |
| 8. Is LipQ a treatment for cold sores? No. LipQ is daily lip care, not a medicine, and it is designed to soothe and protect cold sore-prone lips rather than to treat the virus. For an active outbreak, an antiviral treatment from a pharmacy may help, and the LipQ Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel is a soothing option to reach for at the first tingle. |
| 9. When should I use the balm, and when the gel? Use the LipQ Liquorice Balm every day, morning and night, including between outbreaks, to keep lips nourished and protected. Reach for the Liquorice & Melissa Lip Gel at the very first tingle, then two to three times a day until it settles. |
| 10. Can I use LipQ every day, even between cold sores? Yes, and that is exactly how it is designed to be used. Because it is made from naturally derived ingredients, the balm is gentle enough for daily use, and using it consistently is the best way to keep cold sore-prone lips cared for. |
| 11. Can I use LipQ on ordinary dry or chapped lips? Yes. Although it is made for cold sore-prone lips, the LipQ Liquorice Balm is also a nourishing daily balm for anyone with dry, chapped or sensitive lips, in sun, wind and cold weather. |
| 12. Does LipQ contain SPF or protect against the sun? No. LipQ does not contain SPF and does not claim to protect against UV. Because sun is a common trigger, keeping lips nourished and protected outdoors is sensible, but for sun protection you should use a dedicated SPF lip product alongside it. |
| 13. Is LipQ vegan, and is it suitable for sensitive lips? LipQ is vegetarian rather than vegan, as the balm contains beeswax. It is free from parabens, added perfume, SLS and MI, and is made for sensitive lips. As the balm contains sweet almond oil, please check the ingredients and patch test first if you have a nut allergy. |
| 14. Can using a lip balm cause a cold sore? No, a lip balm does not cause cold sores. Cold sores are triggered by the virus, often when you are run down, stressed or in the sun, so an outbreak can occasionally happen to coincide with starting any new product. If your lips feel irritated, stop using it and patch test before trying again. |
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