Everyone Gets Herpes: How Celebrities Deal with Cold Sores

Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

It's incurable, spreads easily, and doesn't discriminate between the famous and the ordinary','blog','celebrities-with-herpes').

The virus causes painful cold sores on the mouth and lips.

So how do celebrities, constantly in the public eye, manage them?

Here's how some A-listers keep their cold sores under control:

Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm has had cold sores since childhood.

He treats them with antiviral medication and topical creams, and good self-care is key to keeping outbreaks at bay.
Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir work by stopping the virus from multiplying.

You can take them as a pill or apply them as a cream directly to the sore.

Over-the-counter options like Abreva (docosanol) help reduce how long a cold sore lasts and how severe it looks.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner has mentioned that cold sores used to affect her confidence. She manages them by keeping stress low and taking lysine supplements.
Lysine is an amino acid that helps keep the herpes virus in check. It works by blocking arginine, another amino acid that the virus needs to multiply. With more lysine in your system, you get fewer and less severe outbreaks.

Britney Spears

Britney Spears relies on a combination of Abreva and tea tree oil for her cold sores.
Abreva (docosanol) is an over-the-counter cream that speeds up healing and eases the sting. Tea tree oil is a natural antiviral with anti-inflammatory properties that helps dry out a sore and move the healing process along faster.

Celebrities' Secret Weapon Against Cold Sores

TV stars have another advantage: expert makeup artists ready to conceal cold sores before a public appearance.

Many celebrities use high-coverage concealers to hide them.

Look for a thick, creamy formula with full coverage.

Choose a shade that matches your skin tone.

Whether you're famous or not, self-care, proper treatment, and good makeup can help manage outbreaks and reduce their impact on your life.

Nothing to be Ashamed of

Cold sores carry way too much stigma. People feel ashamed when they get one, especially at work or in social situations. But the truth is—more than half of adults aged 14 to 49 have the virus. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.
When famous people talk openly about their cold sores, it helps normalize the whole thing. A cold sore says nothing about who you are or how clean you are.

Dealing with the Shame of Cold Sores

Dealing with shame involves self-care, education, and communication.

Understanding that cold sores are common and manageable can help ease those feelings.

It also helps to talk about it with close friends, family, or a support group.
Here are some tips to minimize a cold sore:

• Know the early signs. People who get cold sores often feel one developing before it appears.

  Symptoms include tingling, burning, or itching around the lips for several hours or a day before the sore shows up.

• Keep antiviral medications on hand. People prone to cold sores should have medications ready to start at the first sign of an outbreak.

  Antivirals work by stopping the herpes virus from replicating.

• Use antiviral cream. If you can't see a doctor, over-the-counter antiviral creams can help knock back a cold sore.
• Numb the pain. Over-the-counter pain reliever creams like lidocaine and benzocaine can numb the burning and ease discomfort.
• Moisturize. Keep your lip and mouth area moisturized to prevent the sore from drying out and peeling.

Most importantly, remember that you're not alone—millions of people around the world deal with the same issue.