Herpes

Cold sores most commonly appear on the lips or around the mouth as small blisters, tingling, tightness, redness and sensitive skin. Although herpes is a viral skin change and professional advice may be needed when symptoms are frequent or severe, proper lip and skin care has an important role in protecting, soothing and repairing the sensitive area after irritation.

In the Herpes category at ApotekaOnline, you can find selected products for the care of lips, small sores, cracked skin and a weakened skin barrier. Special focus is placed on premium dermocosmetic lines such as La Roche-Posay Cicaplast and Avène Cicalfate, designed for repairing, protecting and soothing sensitive and irritated skin.

What does a cold sore on the lip look like?

A cold sore usually appears on the lips or in the area around the mouth. Before visible changes appear, many people feel tingling, itching, tightness or a mild burning sensation. This may be followed by small blisters, sores, crusts and increased skin sensitivity.

The skin around the lips is thin and delicate, so after a cold sore it often remains dry, irritated, cracked or tight. During the recovery phase, it is important to use products that protect the surface layer of the skin, support repair and reduce discomfort.

What can trigger cold sores?

• Weakened immune system during colds, viral infections or exhaustion
• Stress and fatigue, especially when prolonged
• Sun exposure and UV radiation
• Cold weather and wind, which can additionally dry out the lips
• Cracked and damaged lips, which are more prone to irritation
• Hormonal changes and periods of increased body sensitivity

Recommended products for lip care and skin prone to cold sores

Lip care during and after a cold sore

When a cold sore appears on the lip, it is important to avoid additional skin irritation. The lips should not be scratched, picked or stripped of crusts, as this may prolong recovery and increase the risk of further irritation. Once the visible change calms down, the lips often need repairing care to help reduce dryness, cracking and tightness.

Lip balms from the Avène Cicalfate, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast and Uriage Bariéderm lines are especially useful for dry, cracked and irritated lips, as well as for the area around the lips that may remain sensitive after a cold sore.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast – repair for the skin around the lips

The La Roche-Posay Cicaplast line is designed to repair and soothe dry, cracked, irritated and damaged skin. In the context of cold sores, this line is especially useful for caring for the skin around the lips after irritation, when the skin needs additional protection and support for barrier repair.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm may be a good choice when the lips are dry, cracked or irritated, while Cicaplast Baume B5+ is used for wider areas of dry and sensitive skin.

Avène Cicalfate – repairing care for sensitive skin

The Avène Cicalfate line is intended for sensitive, irritated and damaged skin. Products from this line are commonly used when the skin needs repair, protection and relief from discomfort.

Avène Cicalfate Lip Balm is especially suitable for cracked and sensitive lips, while Avène Cicalfate+ Cream is a good choice for local care of irritated skin around the lips.

How to reduce irritation and protect the lips?

• Do not touch or squeeze blisters, as this may worsen irritation.
• Do not remove crusts by force; let the skin repair naturally.
• Use repairing lip balms for dry, cracked and irritated lips.
• Avoid sharing glasses, cutlery and lip balms during an active cold sore.
• Protect the lips from sun, wind and cold weather, as external factors can further irritate the skin.
• If cold sores recur frequently, seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

Expert blog coming soon

A dedicated pillar article about cold sores will be added later. Once published, it can be linked from this category as the main educational guide on causes, duration, triggers and proper care of the lips during and after cold sores.

Pharmacist’s advice