How to Get Rid of Cold Sores, According to Dermatologists

glamour.com:

and HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1), the virus that typically causes them, are incredibly common.As of April 2023, at least 67% of people under 50—or 3.7 billion people worldwide—have HSV-1, .

In the US, it’s even more commonplace: , 50% to 80% of American adults have HSV-1, and dermatologists say the same. “Cold sores are common: (AAD), more than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry the virus that causes cold sores,” double board-certified dermatologist , a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, tells Glamour.Having cold sores, or any form of doesn’t mean you’re gross or weird, or that you did anything wrong.

It’s simply something that happens—to lots and lots of people!Now that that’s out of the way, see everything you need know about how to get rid of cold sores, as well as how to prevent and and conceal them.“Cold sores are fluid filled blisters that generally appear on the lip or on skin around the mouth,” board-certified dermatologist , MD, founder of New York City’s Mudgil Dermatology, tells Glamour. “They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Most cases are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1.”Cold sores are also known as , adds , MD, board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s : “A cold sore, or herpes labialis, refers to a group of blisters that may develop on the lips, around the mouth, or on another part of the face and is due to the herpes virus.” Because HSV-1 is chronic and technically a life-long condition, you could get cold sore outbreaks every few months, a few times a year, or only a few times in your life; it largely depends on you and your immune system.According to Dr.