What is the effect of weather on cold sores?

Arab Weather - Cold sores are a skin condition that affects about 90% of people at least once in their lives , and it is one of the diseases that are affected by many environmental and pathological factors, including the weather and climate-related diseases . Cold sores appear in the form of bubbles in different areas of the skin as a result of a viral infection , and these areas include:

• Lips and around.
• Nostril.
• the chin.
• Cheeks.
• The gums and roof of the mouth.

The virus that causes cold sores, a 1 herpes virus type I ( in English: Herpes simplex virus- type-) severe virus infection, is transmitted through the skin or fluids of infected persons. The virus infection begins after a period of up to twenty days after contact with the infected person, and it lasts about a week to ten days.

It is estimated that about two-thirds of people have previously had a type 1 Herpes virus infection, but this infection does not necessarily lead to cold sores. When infected with Herpes virus, the virus may remain dormant for long periods within nerve cells until exposure to a stimulus, causing cold sores. These triggers may vary from person to person, and include:

• Have a fever.
• Cold weather.
• Eat some foods.
• Exposure to daily stress.
• Exposure to sunlight.
• Catching a cold.
• Fatigue.
• menstruation.

Some bouts of cold sore may recur on a monthly basis, while others may occur intermittently during the year . Also, the bodies of some people may build antibodies to the virus, which prevents it from recurring. In addition, cold sores may develop into an infection that causes inflammation of the tonsils and throat in adults. And cold sores often follow a specific pattern in their appearance. At first, the patient feels tingling or itching around the mouth or the area of the infection, and then the sores appear in the form of water bubbles around the edges of the mouth, accompanied by pain and irritation. In the end, these bubbles die, their secretions leak out, and then a yellow crust forms, which disappears after a while.

Cold sores during the winter

When you get an infection with the Herpes virus that causes cold sores, the virus remains dormant for long periods until you are exposed to a trigger that you may get a cold sore after. Cold weather, especially winter, is one of these triggers that may activate the virus in several indirect ways, the most important of which are:

• Infection with a cold or cold , which reaches its climax during the winter period, and is one of the main triggers for cold sores.
• Infection with a fever resulting from the common cold , which also stimulates the Herpes virus and leads to the appearance of sores.
• Exposure to dryness and cracking of the transparent from cold weather and dry air , which may increase the chance of developing sores around the mouth.
• High exposure to microbial infections during the winter season , which may make the immune system less efficient at dealing with the cold sore virus.
• Winter season coincided with periods of stressful work , or final exams, may compound anxiety and stress in people with Herpes virus, which may stimulate the virus during this period.

Tips for preventing cold sores during the winter

Although cold weather may increase the chance of developing cold sores, you can take several precautions to prevent these sores, including:

• Be sure to wear warm clothes and warm all areas of the body , to avoid catching a cold. Winter hats, gloves, scarves, and weather-appropriate footwear are recommended.
• Make sure to drink enough water daily to avoid dryness and chapped lips . Water, in addition to other fluids, also helps stimulate blood circulation and rid the body of toxins and germs by excreting them through the kidneys.
• Make sure to apply lip balm to avoid chapped lips that may aggravate or expose you to an episode of cold sore . You can also use a lip balm that protects from the sun's rays to protect your lips from the harmful effects of these rays.
• Get enough sleep every day to rest your body and avoid the effects of anxiety and stress that may trigger the herpes virus and lead to cold sores.
• You can also do exercise or yoga, and use relaxation techniques to relieve work stress .
• Make sure to moisturize the face and body adequately during the winter , when dry skin is most common due to exposure to dry air.
• Avoid going out when there are strong , dry winds , as extreme weather may trigger the appearance of cold sores.

Cold sores during the summer

During the summer months, several weather factors may combine to stimulate the activity of the herpes virus in infected people, which results in the emergence of cold sores in different areas of the skin, and the most important of these factors are :

• Exposure to sunlight , which causes burns and damage to the lips and skin in general.
• Eat citrus fruits , which are in season during this period, as acidic foods may trigger cold sores in some people.
• Oily skin due to high heat , which may block skin pores and exacerbate skin problems.

Prevention of cold sores during the summer

When you have herpes virus, it cannot be completely cured, but you can avoid the triggers that facilitate the emergence of sores and reduce the attacks, by :

• Make sure to use an appropriate sunscreen and degree of protection appropriate to the weather in your area . Ask your pharmacist about the degree of protection required and what type of product will best suit your skin.
• Use a lip balm with a sun protection degree to avoid burning the lips .
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration .
• Ensure that you follow a balanced diet rich in vitamins , such as vitamin C , to strengthen the immune system. It is also recommended to eat foods rich in the amino acid lysine , such as fish, cheese and legumes.
• Applying ice packs to the face to relieve sunburn and skin redness . Always make sure to moisturize the skin after applying the compresses to prevent it from drying out and cracking.
• Use medicated dermatological preparations used to treat cold sores .

Treat cold sores

There is no cure for cold sores. Therefore, the treatments available in the pharmacy aim to relieve symptoms, reduce the duration of infection, and reduce the number of times you have cold sores.

• The symptoms of cold sores disappear on their own within about a week of infection , while the causative virus remains latent in the nerves .
• Some dermatological preparations used to treat cold sores help reduce the discomfort of a patient when applying them to the sores, and they can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription .
• Warm or cold compresses.
• Use creams anti-virus, such as cream Asaiklovir ( in English: Acyclovir) cream Djelkosanol ( in English: Docosanol), to reduce the incidence of cold sores. To get good results, it is recommended to use antiviral creams directly when you start showing signs of a cold sore.
• Apply these creams to the affected area about five times or less daily , for a period of 4 to 5 days . Check with your doctor or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
• These medications do not eliminate the virus completely and do not prevent future cold sores. However, people who get cold sores frequently throughout the year can use these medications on a daily basis to reduce the frequency of the infection .
• It is advised not to share any skin preparations among those with cold sores.
• An over-the-counter pain reliever , such as paracetamol , can be taken to relieve the pain associated with cold sores.

General tips for preventing the spread of cold sores

Cold sores are an infectious disease through the skin and body fluids, so, when sores are present, avoid the following:

• Kissing and oral sex.
• Sharing kitchen and food items.
• Share dental tools and towels.
• Sharing shaver.
• Share lipstick.
• Contact with the eyes and sexual organs after contact with sores.
• And ensure general hygiene and hand hygiene, and it is also recommended to wash hands with soap and water when touching sores.

Source: Medical