Celebrities With Cold Sores: You need to know that

Also called a fever blister or herpes simplex labels, a cold sore is a sore (also called a cyst) that forms blisters or blisters with a red base, says Dr. Christina Gasbaro, a primary care physician with Mercy Personnel, looks like a cluster of Physicians in Overleigh, near Baltimore. “Eventually they start to dry out and look a little yellow and raw,” she explains.

The herpes simplex virus also causes cold sores. However, it is not the same as the sexually transmitted herpes virus. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than half of adults ages 14 to 49 have the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores. This is because we were likely exposed to it as children or young adults. Many of us have the virus, but it remains inactive, or silent, in our bodies. Sometimes, the virus reactivates, causing cold sores.

Cold sores are related to person-to-person contacts, such as kissing. It is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and less commonly by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both of these viruses can infect your mouth or genitals and can be transmitted through oral sex.

Cold sores are usually not dangerous and do not cause permanent skin damage. Treatment does not cure the infection and is not necessary in most cases. Avoid picking at the scab or breaking the blisters as this can cause secondary infection with bacteria or scarring.

In today’s world obsessed with pimple popping and more, it can be tempting to pop a cold sore, but don’t, said Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Omar Ibrahimi. Doing so can cause scarring and spread cold sores to yourself and others.