Question:
Hi. I get coldsores. But in fact I never really get them properly because I always put antiviral cream and lip balm on when I'm about to get them. The problem for me is, if you never get a sore, how do you know when it's gone away?

How long do I have to wait from when I first get a tingle before I can kiss again? Does anyone have any rules of thumb?

Answer:
hmmm...good question. I know for me...I usually get the "tingle" then almost immediately after a bump/blister. So as soon as I feel the "tingle" I stop kissing. I don't use antivirals, I just let the cold sore run it course, however, I do clean it up 2-3 times a day with hydrogen peroxide. I also will put camphor phenique on it, to help dry it out. THEN...I use something like caramax to keep my lips from getting to dry. But I won't start kissing again until the sore is completely gone, meaning, scabbed over and dry and GONE. Then...back to the smooching!

In your case, I am not sure....I would imagine a good 5-7 days after you start using your creams you should be good to go. Maybe someone else here has more experience/advice.

Answer:
back to smooching? I thought cold sores where hsv1...and if so, then aren't you spreading it by kissing? i "thought" you could still spread it even if there were no sores visible or not.....please clarify...i'm confused.

Answer:
You know....it is really hard to NOT kiss people, and fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, the majority of the pooulation suffers from "coldsores' aka....herpes simplex 1.

I have had hsv1 since childhood. Obviously, a relative or family friend kissed me and passed it on. Since then , I have had several relationships which involved lots of kissing and as far as I know, I never passed it on to another person.

I have performed oral sex on my exhusband, my current boyfriend, and they never contracted herpes from me that way either.

I use basic common sense. If I feel a coldsore coming on...I don't kiss. If I have a sore, I don't kiss...and quite frankly, don't want to. yuk. I sure as hell don't want to KISS someone with a sore, let alone have them kiss ME should I have one myself. but once the sore has cleared up and is gone, I smooch like mad! (I am only prone to one or two coldsores a year now...and I have my own little routines/methods that I use to quickly heal/treat the outbreak should I get one. It has become more and more rare for me to get a super bad hsv1 outbreak now.)

So I would advice the same.....feel one/see one coming on, then don't kiss, as soon as the sore is completely gone and has healed...kiss away.


I would suggest NOT kissing children. Yours or any others. If the kids already have coldsores, no big deal, just teach them how to keep them clean and to make sure they wash their hands should they touch them.


I do not kiss my infant at all...well, I can't say that....it is hard NOT to kiss him, he is so cute, but I am always sort of aware of whether or not I have a cold sore. I usually will kiss him throough his clothes, like if he has little jammies on, I kiss his little belly! If I have a sore, and he happens to touch it, I just calmly walk to the bathroom and wash his hands reall good with soap and water. (herpes HATES soap and water! :wink: ) But usually what I do is give lots of hugs and snuggles instead of kisses. Just easier for me, better for him, and he is a GREAT snuggler...so.... :D

But again, when it comes to kissing/coldsores/etc....just use some basic common sense. I know people say that it CAN be transmitted whether you are having an outbreak or not....but sheesh, I don't know....seems to me there would be even MORE people with hsv1 AND have it in weird places...like on the neck, the breast, the fingers....and yes, hsv1 DOES show up in these places....but I think this is the exception rather than the norm.

Dont know if I helped much...but I hope you don't stop smoochin! hahaha! :lol:

Answer:
nah...i won't stop....my kids and i have had cold sores in the past (once in awhile). Usually after or during one of our ski trips....not sure why then.....occasionally my son gets a fever and then a blister....a little campho and they go away....not sure where they got it from buy i'm sure it was myself or their mother/my ex. i keep an eye out for other symptons but nothing yet......

i shall kiss on....being careful during those times! :wink:

Answer:
yeah, me either! I love smooching! I am a bonafide smoochaholic! hahaha!

you know it is funny....but "coldsores" due tend to pop up more if you have too much sun, and/or severe windburn, etc (like from boardin' or ski'ing) Best defense when skiing is to bring some good lip balm with sunscreen and keep those babies protected! Slather it on!


I think we get coldsore during flus and colds because our immune system is so down (hence the term "fever blister". ) ANYTIME I get sick or have a high fever...boom....a coldsore. Then I really go crazy with the vitamin C and try to get rest. The two best defenses (not only against the flu, but also against coldsore outbreaks.)

so yes, hug and kiss away...and just be careful should one show up. Then only hugs! (hugs can be pretty darn good too!)