What triggers cold sores? Cold sores are generally caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1. The virus is usually contracted early in childhood. Unfortunately, our body's immune system isn't able to completely get rid of the infection and the virus remains in our body, usually hidden in a nerve located near the cheekbone. A cold sore outbreak is often triggered by a number of external factors such as: sun exposure, stress, cold weather, fever, cold or flu, fatigue or hormones.
Learn more about these common cold sore triggers:
Fatigue Hormones Stress Trauma Cold Weather Fever, Cold or Flu Sun Exposure I don't know
Fatigue Like stress and illness, fatigue can weaken your body's immune system. This weakened immune system can increase your potential for a cold sore episode. In today's hectic world, it sometimes seems that fatigue is something we learn to live with. But for cold sore sufferers, it's worth trying to keep fatigue under control. Try not to be a "super" person. Make time in your day to focus on yourself. Make sleep, rest and relaxation a part of your day, every day. Inactivity can actually breed fatigue, so try to incorporate exercise into your life. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Your body responds to a regular routine. Take advantage of a "power nap" in the afternoon. They can be revitalizing. [Back to Top]
Stress You know when you're stressed out. But did you know that the stress goes beyond your emotional state and affects your body? Stress can weaken your immune system, allowing the dormant cold sore virus to come to the surface. Become more conscious of your physical health during stressful times and make a point to get plenty of rest, eat the right foods and participate in relaxing activities. Consider yoga or relaxation therapy to help you manage your stress. [Back to Top]
Cold Weather Exposure to extremely cold weather and wind can dry out your lips and the sensitive area around your mouth. This exposure can trigger a cold sore. In extreme cold weather cover and protect your face and mouth - both with moisturizers and a scarf. Watch out for conditions that can cause dryness - your home furnace and hot showers or baths. Use gentle extra-moisturizing cleansers and hydrating masks to keep your skin moist. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. [Back to Top]
Sun Exposure Sure they're called cold sores, but they're often triggered by the sun. Sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin and trigger cold sores. Limit your sun time. Avoid 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the sun is strongest. Wear sunscreen and lip moisturizer - with UV-A and UV-B protection. SPF 15 or higher is a must. Wear a hat to avoid sun on the delicate skin of your face and mouth. Beware of reflection of sunlight from water and snow. [Back to Top]
Hormones Hormonal changes due to menstruation can trigger cold sores. It may be that these hormonal changes can weaken your body's immune system. And while we can't control these changes, we can do things to help keep our body strong. Keep your body healthy by following a good regimen of healthy eating. Make sure your body is getting enough vitamins and minerals through your diet or supplements. Get plenty of rest. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Your body responds to a regular routine. Follow a regular exercise routine. It helps your body stay strong and fight infection. [Back to Top]
Trauma Trauma to your mouth can also trigger a cold sore episode. This trauma may come from an injury to your mouth or it may come after you've been to the dentist for prolonged work that pulls at the sensitive area around your mouth. Wear mouth protection when playing contact sports. This is especially important for people who play sports like football and basketball. Inform your dentist that you are prone to cold sore outbreaks. If you are having prolonged treatments or repeat visits, your dentist can adjust protection accordingly. [Back to Top]
Fever, Cold or Flu A fever, a cold or the flu can leave you feeling run down and weaken your body's immune system. And a weakened immune system can lead to a cold sore episode. Avoid contact with people who have cold and flu symptoms. Wash your hands frequently to stop the spread of germs. Keep your immune system strong by eating healthy, taking vitamins and getting plenty of rest. [Back to Top]
Not Sure? If you don't know what causes your cold sore episode, then we encourage you to take some time and learn about the known "triggers." You might recognize yourself in one of the profiles. Additionally, you might want to start to keep track of your cold sores and what was happening in your life when your cold sore appeared. Were you under stress? Did you have more than normal sun exposure? How about hormonal changes? All these and more can trigger your cold sore episode. Education is the first step. Take a few minutes to read our entire site so you become more knowledgeable about the causes of cold sores and what you can do to control them. [Back to Top]

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