Cold sores are a common problem for many of us. They are actually a recurrent infection of what is known as herpes simplex virus one - the cold sore virus. Unfortunately, once you have caught the virus, there is no cure. The virus stays resident in the nerve tissues for life. Usually the virus remains dormant, until trigger factors such as stress, sunburn or the common cold promote the virus to become active, which begins a series of processes in the body usually ending in a cold sore lesion.

So what is the good news? Although there is no direct cure for the cold sore virus itself, the Betadine® Cold Sore range can help to treat and minimise cold sore outbreaks. But in order to do this, it is crucial that the cold sore sufferer is familiar with the three key stages in the development of a cold sore:  

STAGE 1 - (Prodromal stage) No visible signs but a tingling sensation is experienced on or around the lip
STAGE 2 - A blister forms on or around the lip
STAGE 3 - The blister becomes 'crusty' and secondary bacterial infection usually follows

Unlike some other products, Betadine® Cold Sore products are effective in all three stages of a cold sore. Betadine® Cold Sore products can help against the infection, if applied in the prodromal stage. They will also inactivate the virus if applied during the second stage. Betadine® Cold Sore products will also help reduce the spread of infection of herpes simplex virus one (the cold sore virus) from one person to another, or from one part of the body to another. This is important because, until healed, the blisters and ulcers of a cold sore are highly contagious.