Cold sores from sun: Summer protection
Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin and trigger a recurrent cold sore. Go on the offensive against sun exposure with these tips for staying safe and preventing summer cold sores.
Sun is a proven trigger of cold sores. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend your summer hiding inside. Use sunscreen and a lip balm that provides broad-spectrum sunscreen protection.
Whether you’re jogging at the beach, hiking in the mountains or simply walking to the corner store, keep in mind that sunscreen effectiveness can be affected by wind, water, humidity and altitude. Plus you can sweat or lick your lip balm off without realising it – so reapply often.
Cloudy days are not your ally in the battle against cold sores from the sun because those are the times when you may forget to wear your lip balm and sunscreen. Remember that UV rays penetrate clouds and even thick fog.
