Can You Get Herpes From Chapstick

How Long Can the Cold Sore Virus Alive on Chapstick?

Terminal Updated May 10, 2022

A woman touches her lip while holding a white stick of chapstick, wondering how long the cold sore virus can live on it.

Perhaps you already get cold sores, or possibly you're trying to avoid them. Either mode, you might have questions virtually whether it'due south safe to apply, borrow or lend chapstick.

Tin you contract cold sores from borrowed chapstick? How long tin the cold sore virus alive on chapstick?

What Is a Cold Sore?

A cold sore, also referred to as a fever blister, is a pocket-size, painful ulcer that erupts on or around the lips.

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, type ane (HSV-1). HSV-one has no cure, and after an initial outbreak, the virus becomes dormant in your nerve cells until a trigger reactivates it. Reactivation of the virus causes farther common cold sore outbreaks, which frequently occur in minor clusters.

HSV-1 is an extremely common viral infection and spreads easily from person to person. This is why many people wonder how long the cold sore virus tin alive on chapstick.

How Do Cold Sores Spread?

Considering HSV-ane is and then highly contagious, it affects a huge number of people. In fact, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that two-thirds of the global population under historic period 50 is infected with HSV-1, although many of them have not had an actual cold sore outbreak.

HSV-1 spreads through contact with an infected person'south affected skin or bodily fluids. For cold sores, this is usually saliva and the skin effectually the rima oris, only information technology can include infected genitals every bit well. HSV-1 is almost contagious via the cold sore itself, especially the fluid inside. That'south one reason information technology'south of import to launder your hands after touching your cold sore.

Asymptomatic spread of HSV-ane is also possible. Fifty-fifty when you're not experiencing an active common cold sore outbreak, you can withal spread the virus. If yous develop common cold sores for the first time, but haven't had contact with anyone experiencing a cold sore outbreak, asymptomatic shedding could be the culprit.

How Long Tin the Cold Sore Virus Live on Chapstick?

Unfortunately, in that location are no bachelor studies on how long the cold sore virus can alive on chapstick. Scientists do know that HSV-one can alive outside the body for some time, from a few hours up to several days. Canker viruses survive longer in dryer, lower-temperature environments.

Just because someone doesn't have an active common cold sore doesn't mean the cold sore virus isn't present. People with HSV-i carry the virus in their organisation at all times, and it's contagious up to several days earlier a cold sore appears.

And then while it may not exist likely that you'll contract HSV-i from someone else'south chapstick, it'south nevertheless possible. And for that reason, it's wise to avert sharing chapstick and other cosmetics with friends and family members.

What Near Lipstick?

You may have followed the 2017 news story about a California woman'due south lawsuit against a high-end cosmetics retailer. The lawsuit alleged that the customer contracted HSV-1 from a lipstick sample in a retail shop and that the retailer should have known the risk of multi-user samples. In full general, retailers typically use single-use samples.

This case was settled out of courtroom in 2019, and then the question remains: Can yous contract a herpes virus from lipstick? The respond is similar to sharing chapstick. It's not likely, but it'due south possible. Since even sharing a friend'southward cosmetics can lead to infections, you should definitely steer clear of multi-user samples in retail settings that could harbor contaminants from many customers.

What About Other Shared Objects?

Aside from lip care products, y'all may wonder whether HSV-1 can spread through shared cups or straws. The risk is miniscule, although researchers agree a hazard does be. Merely since sharing these objects is piece of cake to avert, it'south best to eliminate the chance of transmission altogether and stick to using your own.

How To Avoid Spreading Your Cold Sore Virus

Since the topic discusses chapstick, use of chapstick during cold sore outbreak should be avoided, however, one tin can still use a cotton wool bud or disposable lip brushes or applicators to employ lipsticks or lip balms in instance of necessity.

In addition to non sharing beverages, straws, or lip intendance products, there are several other steps you can accept to avoid spreading your common cold sores (or catching common cold sores from someone else).

Your likelihood of spreading HSV-i depends on a variety of factors, including the length of fourth dimension you've been infected with HSV-1 and whether you accept antiviral medications.

The herpes virus is always contagious, even when no symptoms are present. But the hazard of transmission increases significantly when wet, open sores and blisters are present. From the time you brainstorm to feel the itching or burning sensation that precedes cold sores until your outbreak has completely healed, you should accept actress precautions to avert spreading the virus.

We answer your questions about whether it's safe to borrow or lend chapstick and how long the cold sore virus can live on it.

Refrain From Intimate Contact During Outbreaks

Kissing and oral sex are two of the most common ways HSV-1 spreads from ane person to another. Avoid kissing during an agile common cold sore outbreak and be certain to abjure from intimate contact with others until the outbreak has passed. Utilise a rubber or dental dam during oral sex, even when no cold sores are present.

Do Good Hygiene

Maintaining skillful hygiene goes a long way in keeping HSV-one from spreading. Proceed the afflicted area clean and dry and avoid touching your cold sores when possible. If you exercise need to impact them, wash your hands immediately after. Avoid picking at the sores, as this can cause further infection.

Avoid Triggering More than Common cold Sore Outbreaks

If you suffer from recurring cold sores, try to avoid foods that normally trigger outbreaks. Be conscientious not to seize with teeth your lip when yous chew your nutrient. Also have steps to protect your skin during prolonged exposure to harsh air current and sunlight.

Restrict the alcohol and sugar in your nutrition to moderate levels and manage your daily stress. Nourish your trunk with plenty of salubrious foods: fruits, vegetables, lean poly peptide, and h2o. Know that outbreaks are more than likely when your immune system is fighting off other infections.

Using light therapy, like that used in the Luminance Crimson Lip Sore Treatment Device, at the first sign of an outbreak can also decrease your hurting, healing time, and frequency of outbreaks.