Cold sores are a common and often frustrating skin issue. While they may look like harmless blisters, cold sores are actually caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

What Causes Cold Sores?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which comes in two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV-1 is the primary cause of cold sores, usually appearing around the mouth.

HSV-2 generally causes genital herpes but can also lead to cold sores.

While the appearance of cold sores caused by both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can look similar, their locations tend to differ. However, it is possible for HSV-1 to cause sores on the genitals and for HSV-2 to appear on the mouth.

How Do Cold Sores Spread?

Cold sores are highly contagious and can spread easily. The virus can be passed on through:

• Kissing or skin contact
• Sharing food, drinks, or cosmetics (such as lip balm)
• Oral sex, which can spread both cold sores and genital herpes

Even when a cold sore isn’t visible, the virus can still be spread through close contact. This makes prevention and management key to reducing outbreaks and the risk of infecting others.

Once someone contracts HSV, it stays in the body for life. While the virus remains dormant most of the time, it can reactivate and cause new sores, especially during periods of:

• Stress
• Illness
• A weakened immune system

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the herpes virus, but the symptoms can be managed.

Symptoms of Cold Sores

Cold sores don’t just appear out of nowhere. Before the sore is visible, you may notice a tingling or burning sensation around the lips or face, which can occur several days before the sore forms. This is the best time to begin treatment to shorten the outbreak.

When a cold sore does appear, it often looks like a red, raised blister filled with fluid. The blister can be painful to touch, and there may be more than one. Cold sores usually last around two weeks and are contagious until they crust over and heal.

The Five Stages of a Cold Sore

Cold sores go through distinct stages as they develop and heal:

• Tingling and itching: You may feel these symptoms about 24 hours before the blister appears.
• Blisters: Small, fluid-filled blisters form, typically around the mouth.
• Bursting: The blisters burst and form painful sores.
• Scabbing: The sores dry out, scab over, and may itch or crack.
• Healing: The scab falls off, and the cold sore heals.

Risk Factors for Cold Sores

Certain factors can trigger the reactivation of HSV, leading to cold sores. These include:

• Infection, fever, or cold
• Sun exposure
• Stress
• Menstruation
• Dental work or injury
• Weakened immune system due to conditions like HIV/AIDS, eczema, or chemotherapy

Managing and Treating Cold Sores

There’s no cure for cold sores, but several treatments can ease the symptoms and help manage outbreaks.

Topical Ointments and Creams

Over-the-counter antiviral creams like docosanol (Abreva) or prescription ointments like penciclovir (Denavir) can help reduce the duration of an outbreak, especially if applied at the first sign of a cold sore.

Oral Medications

Prescription antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can also help, particularly for people who have frequent or severe outbreaks. Your doctor may recommend taking these medications regularly to prevent future outbreaks.

Home Remedies

There are also some home remedies that may provide relief, such as:

• Applying ice or a cold washcloth to the sore
• Using aloe vera gel or lemon balm lip balms
• Applying petroleum jelly to ease discomfort

Canker Sores vs. Cold Sores: What's the Difference?

While cold sores and canker sores may seem similar, they are quite different:

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, appear around the mouth, and are contagious.

Canker sores are not contagious and appear as ulcers inside the mouth or throat.

Preventing the Spread of Cold Sores

To avoid spreading cold sores:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid close contact with others during an outbreak
• Don’t share food, drinks, or personal items like lip balm

Cold sores can be a persistent issue, but with proper care and management, you can reduce the frequency of outbreaks and prevent spreading the virus to others.

When John Cena started noticing blurry vision, he assumed it was simply part of getting older. But the worsening eyesight was also accompanied by redness, itchiness and crusting around his eyes.

“I had a lot of redness and itchiness, and every once in a while, waking up with eye crusties and stuff. At the same time, given my age — I'm 49 now — my vision was going a little bit, so I just figured it was par for the course. But because my vision was going, I needed to see if I needed glasses or prescriptions.”

Until then, Cena had delayed getting his eyes checked. He believed that the symptoms were caused by bright lights, excessive screen time or ageing.

However, an eye examination gave him a surprise. Cena learned that his symptoms were caused by Demodex blepharitis, a condition he says he had never heard of.

“Diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis, which I didn't even know existed.”

What Are Demodex Mites?

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Demodex mites are tiny, eight-legged organisms that live naturally on human skin, particularly around hair follicles. Measuring just 0.15 to 0.4 millimeters, they are invisible to the naked eye but are present on the skin of almost every adult.

These microscopic mites feed on sebum (the skin's natural oil) and dead skin cells, helping remove accumulated debris under normal conditions.

How Do Demodex Mites Work?

Demodex mites are most active at night. They emerge from hair follicles after sunset because ultraviolet (UV) light is harmful to them. While people sleep, the mites feed, crawl and reproduce on the skin's surface.

They are also believed to be stimulated by melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep, creating a unique relationship between humans and these naturally occurring organisms.

When Can Demodex Mites Become A Problem?

Although harmless in small numbers, Demodex mites can cause problems if they multiply excessively—a condition known as demodicosis.

According to Dr. Richard Locksley, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, an overgrowth of Demodex mites can contribute to:

• Rosacea
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
• Acne-like breakouts
• Itchy, inflamed skin

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People with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable because their bodies may be less able to control mite populations. In addition, inadequate sleep may increase oil production, providing more nourishment for the mites.

Should You Be Worried?

For most healthy people, Demodex mites are a normal part of the skin microbiome and are not considered harmful. Problems generally arise only when their numbers increase significantly.

To help reduce the risk of overgrowth:

• Wash your face every night with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove excess oil and debris.
• Remove eye makeup and false eyelashes before bed, as these can encourage mite buildup.
• Get adequate sleep, since poor sleep may increase sebum production.
• Consult a dermatologist if you experience persistent redness, itching or inflammation around the eyes or skin.

Common Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them by Dr Sumit Batra. Whether you're training for a marathon, playing pickleball with friends, or simply trying to stay fit at the gym, being active is one of the best things you can do for your health. But every sport is unique and places different demands on your body. Without the right preparation, even a fun weekend workout can leave you with an injury that keeps you on the sidelines. Often, I see people whose injuries could have been avoided by warming up properly, increasing their training slowly, and paying attention to pain. Many think the pain will go away on its own, but getting it checked early can help prevent bigger problems.

Several types of common sports injuries show up suddenly, while others build up over time. Ankle sprains are among the most common. They usually happen when the foot rolls awkwardly during running, jumping, or changing direction quickly. Simultaneously, Knee injuries are another common problem, especially in sports that involve sudden stops, pivots, or jumps, so the ligaments, cartilage, or tendons around the knee can be affected, making movement painful and unstable.

Muscle strains in the hamstrings and calves often occur when muscles are pushed harder than they're ready for. Skipping a warm-up or increasing the intensity of your workouts too quickly can raise the risk.

Athletes who play cricket, tennis, or volleyball, or who spend long hours swimming, may also develop shoulder pain due to repeated overhead movements. And then there are overuse injuries like tennis elbow, shin splints, and Achilles tendinitis, which develop slowly after repeated stress without enough recovery.

How to Reduce Your Risk

The good news is that most sports injuries can be prevented. Start every workout with a proper warm-up. Just five to ten minutes of light movement and stretching can help prepare your muscles and joints for exercise.

Strength training is equally important. Strong muscles support your joints, improve balance, and help your body absorb the impact of running, jumping, and lifting.

It's also important not to rush your progress. Whether you're preparing for a race or trying heavier weights, increasing the intensity little by little gives your body time to adapt safely.

Recovery deserves just as much attention as training. Good sleep, proper hydration, balanced meals, rest days, and well-fitting sports shoes all play a role in keeping injuries away.

Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You

Always listen to your body—it often gives warning signs before it's too late. Feeling sore after a challenging workout is completely normal. But pain that doesn't improve, swelling, difficulty putting weight on a limb, or restricted movement shouldn't be ignored. Getting the injury checked early often means a quicker recovery and lowers the chances of long-term problems. Sports injuries can happen to anyone, whether you are a seasoned athlete or someone who enjoys staying active on weekends. A little preparation, sensible training, and adequate recovery can go a long way in preventing them. And if something doesn't feel right, don't wait for it to get worse. Early care can make all the difference in getting you back to doing what you love.

Dr. Sumit Batra, Consultant Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon at PB Health

Gone are the days when constipation was considered a problem only among older adults. Today, an increasing number of young professionals are experiencing irregular bowel movements, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and a constant feeling of incomplete evacuation. The fast-paced corporate lifestyle, long working hours, unhealthy eating habits, and chronic stress have made constipation a common digestive concern among people in their 20s and 30s.

One of the biggest contributors is a sedentary lifestyle. Many professionals spend eight to ten hours sitting at a desk, with little time for physical activity. Regular movement helps stimulate bowel function, and a lack of it can slow down digestion. Another common cause is poor dietary habits. Skipping breakfast, relying on processed or fast foods, and consuming inadequate amounts of fibre can significantly affect bowel health.

Hydration also plays a vital role. Busy schedules often lead people to consume more coffee or tea while neglecting water intake. Dehydration makes stools harder and more difficult to pass, increasing the risk of constipation. Stress is another major factor. Deadlines, work pressure, and poor sleep can disrupt the communication between the brain and the gut, affecting normal bowel movements. Ignoring the natural urge to pass stools due to meetings or travel can further worsen the condition over time.

The good news is that constipation can often be managed through simple lifestyle changes. A balanced diet rich in fibre from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts helps add bulk to stools and promotes regular bowel movements. Drinking at least two to three litres of water daily keeps stools soft and easier to pass.

Regular physical activity is equally important. Even a brisk 30-minute walk, stretching during work breaks, or choosing stairs over elevators can improve gut motility. Maintaining a consistent toilet routine, preferably after breakfast, and responding promptly to the body's natural urge can also help establish healthy bowel habits.

Stress management should not be overlooked. Practising yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply ensuring adequate sleep can positively influence digestive health. Limiting excessive consumption of processed foods and caffeinated beverages can also reduce the risk of constipation.

While occasional constipation is usually not a cause for concern, persistent symptoms lasting more than three weeks, severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or constipation alternating with diarrhoea should never be ignored. These could indicate an underlying medical condition that requires evaluation by a gastroenterologist.

Healthy digestion is closely linked to overall well-being and productivity. By adopting healthier daily habits and paying attention to digestive health, young professionals can prevent constipation, improve their quality of life, and maintain better physical and mental performance at work.

By Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, Director, Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass & Mukundupur