After exposure the virus can hide in your body for years without an outbreak. Things that trigger the virus and cause an outbreak can be:- too much sun exposure- coming down with a head cold or infection- menstruation- stress
They usually show up on the lips and sometimes on the nose or the chin. They usually last from about 7 to 10 days and rarely scar. Over-the-counter medication can be purchased to help relive the pain that accompanies the sores. If you have a lot of outbreaks you should talk to Dr. Ban Barbat at her Shelby Township Cosmetic Dental office about being prescribed an anti-viral drug that can reduce the time it takes to heal and the number of sores.
