The fact is, lip sores are extremely contagious.  They are most contagious when the blisters are opened and not scabbed yet.  The pus is the cold sore virus and when you have open mouth blisters this virus is available to contaminate the world.

You want to be sure to keep your hands very clean and be sure not to touch at your mouth.  This can be difficult since you are probably self-conscious of your lip sore and it is easy to touch at the area subconsciously, please try not to do this.

Wash your hands and carry sanitizer with you while you are suffering with a cold sore outbreak.  Clean hands will prevent you from spreading the virus to others and it will also protect you from reinfecting yourself.

Be very careful not to touch, scratch or rub at your eyes after touching your lip sore.  Having the Herpes Simplex 1 virus in your eye is dangerous and can cause blindness.

You can transmit the cold sore virus by kissing and by oral sex!  Don’t share chap stick, towels, beverage glasses, or eating utensils-unless you are trying to pay back someone for giving you a cold sore.

It is especially important to stay away from the elderly, infants and ill people when you have contagious lip sores.  These people are especially susceptible to the virus and could end up getting very ill if they are exposed and contract a lip sore.  With a low immune system their bodies don’t have the ability to fight off the virus and therefore they get extremely sick and may have multiple out breaks.

Lips have a large amount of nerve endings in them which makes them extremely sensitive to touch and temperature.  This means that lips are also incredibly sensitive to pain.  Since lips don’t have sweat glands or pores like the rest of your skin, they aren’t as susceptible to pimples.  However, the Herpes Simplex 1 virus feasts on the soft skin of your lips.

Lip sores can’t be cured like a pimple on lip because they are two completely different types of break outs.  A pimple isn’t a virus, it is a clogged pore.  A pimple also isn’t contagious, although it can feel like they are when they all come together at once.  You should never squeeze or pop lip sores in the way that you would a pimple.  This can cause your cold sore to become really irritated and that only causes more throbbing and burning for you to have to deal with.

Lip sores are highly contagious and they come from a virus known as the Herpes Simplex 1 virus.  Also, those who carry this virus in their system will always have it; there is no cure.  There are many ways to prevent lip sores and cold sores from happening just like there is for getting pimples.  However, the prevention does not always work and sometimes we break out no matter our attempts to stop it.

Check out my Cold Sore Freedom in 3 Days review to learn about cold sores and the secrets to treating them and getting them to go away forever!

If you are doing any of the things listed here and getting lip sores, fever blisters or mouth sores…then stop!

Infected By Other People

Cold sores are always contagious however, they are most contagious when they break and the sore is weeping.  The pus inside contains thousands of viruses.  Do not kiss or share chap stick or utensils with a person with lip sores!

Stress

Any type of stress to your body can trigger a cold sore.  Being ill, traveling and dental work can all affect the Herpes Simplex 1 virus and it will attack.  Not having good nutrition or enough rest will also make you prone to getting lip sores.

Sun

Long exposure to the sun has been associated with lip sore development.  The sun contains Ultra Violet rays and this is what causes an outbreak.

Reinfected By Yourself

Be sure to wash your hands and all washcloths and towels used on your face during your cold sore infection.  Since lip sores are so contagious you can easily spread the virus to another part of your body or reinfect your mouth with another sore.  Don’t touch at the sore unless you are by a sink with soap and can immediately sanitize your hands!

Hormonal Change

Women are vulnerable to lip sores during their menstrual cycles.  This hormonal change seems to stress the body just enough to cause a skin eruption.  Acne works the same way, puberty/changes in hormonal balance will trigger an outbreak.

The Herpes Simplex 1 virus isn’t completely understood.  Some people are completely immune to getting a cold sore while others can be infected time and time again.  This are only the 5 common causes of lip sores, you could be a healthy person who stays out of the sun, gets plenty of exercise and never leaves home without hand sanitizer and still be a victim of lip sore break outs.

For more information on treatment go to mouth sores treatment.