herpes (cold sores) and lipstick

[ilyena]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this place and I have a question. Apparently, I'm having a new OB (I've had herpes simplex on my  lower lips for about 10 years). Yesterday, I used some lipstick, and later that night, I noticed some OB symptoms. Now, I know the lipstick didn't trigger the OB, because I've worn them many times before and nothing had ever happened. I'm currently under a lot of stress and just got my period, so I'm guessing that was the cause.

Now, my question is, should I throw away the lipsticks I used? I read somewhere that the virus dies fast, and that you can't really re-infect yourself, but I have my doubts... plus, I wouldn't want to get yet another cold sore in another place of my lips.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Oh, and my mother language isn't english, so please forgive any grammar/spelling mistakes.

[gracefromHHP]

oh that's good! was going to suggest daily suppressive therapy if you were getting them frequently - always easier to prevent them than it is to be patient about letting them heal.

[ilyena]

Again, thank you so much :)

I get them every 6 to 8 months, usually when I'm under a lot of stress, so I usually have one or two outbreaks per year. I used to get them more often when I was younger (I would have an OB every 2 or 3 months, usually when my period arrived). My first OB was when I was 12, I think. Since I turned 20, they've become less frequent.

[gracefromHHP]

thank you for keeping your questions in this post :)


no reason to still be applying it at this point.

how often do you get cold sores?

[ilyena]

Hello... I have another question (I decided to post it here, since that's what the "read before posting" thread recommeds).

So, my outbreak started about 4 days ago. Just as I felt the first signs (tingling, burning sensation, redness on lips), I applied Aciclovir. I've continued to do so, and no visible vecicles have appeared, although the area of my lips where they usually show up got singnificantly red. Now, since no vecicles or bumps appeared, and in consequence, no crusts or anything, my question is, for how long should I continue to apply Aciclovir?

Thanks in advance.

[ilyena]

thank you so much :)

[gracefromHHP]

no you don't have to throw out your lipsticks. the virus doesn't thrive well away from body temperature. you also already have hsv1, you won't get it "worse" or anything like that.

You also already have hsv1 in the entire trigeminal nerve ganglia already, you won't spread it anywhere on your face at this point.

grace