Swimming with Cold Sores: What You Need to Know

Cold sores, or fever blisters, are a form of herpes. According to Herpes-Coldsores, they usually appear on the lips and can last one to two weeks. They are contagious and are transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact like kissing. Doctors say cold sore viruses cannot be passed in a swimming pool as the chlorine kills the virus and it is not skin-to-skin contact. They suggest coating the sore with petroleum jelly to prevent cracking. Many topical creams are sold over-the-counter that can be used to treat a cold sore.

Things You'll Need

• Petroleum jelly
• Q-tip
• Soap
• Water
• Peppermint oil

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Instructions

• 1

  Put a small amount of petroleum jelly on the tip of a Q-tip.

• 2

  Cover the entire cold sore or fever blister with a layer of petroleum jelly. This will help cover the cold sore and prevent it from cracking.

• 3

  Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent the spread of the cold sore virus.

• 4

  Put a drop of peppermint oil on a Q-tip and spread on cold sore for one minute. You can use peppermint oil six times a day to help reduce the pain associated with a cold sore. You can begin this type of treatment as soon as the cold sore starts forming.