HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Cold Sores On Lips And Blisters

default
Posted on Mon, 20 Jul 2015
Question: I have what i assume is HSV-1 as i get cold sores on my lip from time to time. Ive been suffering from them for almost 5 years now. I was wondering how contagious I am to myself as in spreading it to other parts of my own body and to others when there is no signs of a cold sore on me? Like times when i dont notice a tingle or any appearance of a red spot or blister of any kind.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Autoinnoculation chances are minimal in absence of active herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern.

Chances of spreading to other body parts through your hands are minimal, specially if you don't have an active ongoing episode of cold sores.

However, whenever you have an episode of cold sore, be careful to avoid touching the sores as well as wash your hands at frequent intervals, as you to avoid auto-innoculate the virus inadvertantly at a different body site e.g touching the eye can cause ocular herpes.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)
What brought on this concern today was i woke up in the middle of the night about 6 hours ago and i had drooled in my sleep alot and my cheek and part of my eye was damp from it and while i dont have an active blister currently, i am in a panic as to what the chances are that it had spread to my eye from that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are safe.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

It is unlikely that you would spread herpes this way because as I said the risk is minimal during asymptomatic phases.
Even though mucosa is prone to get infected by infectious secretions/ fluids coming into contact with it, however, I doubt the saliva would have actually entered inside your eye.
Surely, saliva would damp outer skin, however, autoinnoculation is more of a risk specially if you rub your eye and thus facilitate innoculation into the skin surrounding your eye.

Regards
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Cold Sores On Lips And Blisters

Brief Answer: Autoinnoculation chances are minimal in absence of active herpes Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I have gone through your query and I have understood your concern. Chances of spreading to other body parts through your hands are minimal, specially if you don't have an active ongoing episode of cold sores. However, whenever you have an episode of cold sore, be careful to avoid touching the sores as well as wash your hands at frequent intervals, as you to avoid auto-innoculate the virus inadvertantly at a different body site e.g touching the eye can cause ocular herpes. Regards