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.

For the first time, the number of centenarians in Japan has exceeded 100,000. According to the latest figures from the health ministry, the country now has 107,677 people aged 100 and above, of whom 88% are women.

The oldest woman is Kishimoto Fuyo, a 114-year-old from Kyoto City, while the oldest man is Kato Hikaru, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto.

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno told reporters he was “delighted that so many people are living long, healthy and active lives”. Citing progress in medicine and technology behind the long life, Ueno also warned about the challenge of maintaining a sustainable social security system.

Why Is Japan A Super-Ageing Society?

The long lives of Japanese people may be attributed to several factors, including genetics, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.

The island nation’s cuisine predominantly consists of fish, vegetables and rice, with less saturated fat than many Western diets. Older people also regularly walk, use public transport, cycle and stretch.

However, Japan’s ageing population is linked to two major demographic trends: low birth rates and longer life expectancy.

Fertility falling below the replacement level means fewer younger people are entering the population, while improvements in healthcare allow people to live longer.

To curb the falling fertility rates, the government in 2023 launched programs aimed at increasing the birth rate, including a 3.5-trillion-yen (US$22.5 billion) increase in family-policy spending.

However, the country's total fertility rate still dropped to a record low of 1.14 in 2025, far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain the current population.

On the other hand, there were 153 people aged 100 or older when centenarian surveys began in 1963. The number exceeded 1,000 in 1981 and surpassed 10,000 in 1998, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry.

Also read: Unusually High Cancer-Fighting Immune Cells Could Explain Why Some People Live Beyond 100: Study

What Are The Challenges Of A Super-Ageing Society?

The World Health Organization defines “super-ageing” societies as countries where more than 20% of the population is aged 65 or older.

As the proportion of older adults grows relative to the working-age population, population ageing can place pressure on healthcare systems, economies and social support structures. It can also contribute to challenges such as pension pressures, labor shortages and increasing demand for long-term care.

An ageing population can increase the need for continuous medical care, caregiving and social support, due to

• Chronic disease burden of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and cognitive
• Resource strain, where Hospitals and nursing homes face shortages of specialized geriatric care personnel and integrated support services.
• Social isolation, where loss of community engagement and inadequate public transportation or age-friendly housing can increase vulnerability.
• Elder mistreatment: Social and family abuse, alongside systemic ageism, can undermine the dignity and safety of older citizens.

Read More: Normal Ageing or Alzheimer's? Doctors Explain Six Key Differences to Watch For'

Ageing Is Becoming A Global Challenge

Japan’s demographic shift is part of a broader global trend. According to WHO, by 2030, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or older. The number of people aged 60 and above is projected to rise from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030.

By 2050, the global population aged 60 and older is expected to reach 2.1 billion. The number of people aged 80 or older is also expected to triple between 2020 and 2050, reaching 426 million.

By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population aged over 60 is expected to live in low- and middle-income countries.

Population ageing therefore has implications not only for how long people live, but also for healthcare, caregiving, social support and the size of the working-age population.

Climate change is an environmental issue, but its effects are reaching the eye clinic. Hotter summers, intense ultraviolet radiation, polluted air, shifting pollen seasons and extreme rainfall can affect the eyes.

Because the eye’s surface is exposed to the environment, changes in temperature, humidity and air quality may produce symptoms. Five risks deserve attention in India.

Heat and Dry-Eye Disease

Extreme heat, dry winds and prolonged air-conditioning can accelerate evaporation of the tear film that protects the eye. Dehydration may compound the problem. Burning, grittiness, redness, watering and blurred vision are common warning signs.

Outdoor workers, drivers, older adults and contact-lens users may be especially vulnerable. Hydration, protective glasses and preservative-free lubricating drops recommended by an ophthalmologist can help.

Cumulative Ultraviolet Damage

Sunlight can affect more than the skin. Acute, intense ultraviolet exposure may injure the corneal surface and cause photokeratitis, producing pain, watering, light sensitivity and blurred vision. Exposure over years is associated with pterygium a fleshy growth on the eye and certain forms of cataract.

Choose sunglasses labelled UV400 or offering 99–100 per cent UVA and UVB protection. Dark lenses without verified UV protection are not adequate. A broad-brimmed hat provides protection.

Also read: US FDA Launches Expedited IND Pilot To Speed Up Drug Trials

Air Pollution and Ocular-Surface Inflammation

Particulate matter, vehicle emissions, smoke, ozone and construction dust come into direct contact with the tear film. They may destabilise it and trigger inflammation, worsening dry eye, redness and allergic conjunctivitis. On days with poor air quality, limit avoidable outdoor exposure, use wraparound glasses and avoid rubbing the eyes.

Artificial tears may wash irritants from the surface, but persistent symptoms require examination rather than repeated use of over-the-counter “whitening” drops.

Longer Allergy Seasons

Changing temperatures, rainfall patterns and plant cycles can alter the amount and timing of airborne pollen. Combined with dust and pollution, this may result in more frequent or prolonged allergic-eye symptoms. Intense itching, watering and swollen eyelids are typical.

Cold compresses can provide relief, but rubbing may damage the ocular surface and, in susceptible people, contribute to corneal problems. Anti-allergy drops should be selected with medical guidance. Steroid eye drops must never be self-prescribed because misuse can raise eye pressure, promote infection and damage vision.

Also read: Bouncy Castles Linked To MRSA Outbreak In 48 Children In Ireland

Eye Infections After Extreme Rainfall and Flooding

Heavy rain, waterlogging and disrupted sanitation increase exposure to contaminated water and surfaces. Crowding during outbreaks may also facilitate the spread of infectious conjunctivitis through hands, towels, cosmetics and shared personal items.

Do not splash floodwater or questionable tap water into the eyes, and never rinse contact lenses with water. Pain, marked light sensitivity, reduced vision, corneal whiteness or symptoms in a contact-lens wearer require urgent assessment.

Climate-related eye problems are not confined to one season. Prevention begins with UV protection, clean hands, hydration, sensible exposure reduction and timely eye examinations. Sudden loss of vision, severe pain, flashes, new floaters or an eye injury should always be treated as an emergency.

More women in the US and UK are seeking testosterone to manage menopause symptoms, with some turning to online pharmacies without a prescription, according to media reports.

There are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved testosterone products specifically indicated for women. Australia has approved a low-dose testosterone product for postmenopausal women, while the UK and New Zealand permit some female-dosed formulations, although availability varies.

What’s Happening In The US?

Reuters reported that off-label testosterone use is rising in the US, mainly to treat persistently low sexual desire associated with menopause. Some clinicians are also prescribing testosterone for symptoms such as fatigue and loss of muscle strength, despite a lack of medical guidance supporting these uses.

Prescriptions for low sexual desire reportedly rose 146% between January 2023 and July 2026. However, many pharmacies and health insurers continue to deny these prescriptions.

Also read: US Congress To Hold First-ever Menopause Hearing: Why It Matters For Women

Why Are UK Women Turning To Testosterone?

The BBC reported that some women in Wales are posing as men to buy testosterone from online pharmacies because of difficulties accessing NHS prescriptions.

There has also been a “very sharp increase” in testosterone referrals to the NHS for postmenopausal women.

Menopause specialist Dr Michelle Olver said she had seen women with testosterone levels up to 12 times the safe level after buying the hormone online, putting them at risk of permanent side effects.

Why Is Testosterone Gaining Attention?

Also read: ‘I Was Vocal About Cancer But Silent About Menopause Out Of Shame’, Says Actress Lisa Ray

Although testosterone is often called a male hormone, women also produce it, primarily through the ovaries and adrenal glands. Levels generally decline with age.

Some women are prescribed testosterone for distressing loss of sexual desire. Others are seeking it for fatigue, impaired thinking, low mood and loss of muscle strength.

The FDA is set to hold a public workshop on September 17 to examine testosterone use in menopausal women. The agency says off-label use is growing, while questions remain about its effects on sexual function, mood, cognition, muscle and bone health, as well as long-term cardiovascular and breast cancer safety.

What Does The Evidence Say?

Menopause does not automatically mean a woman has a “testosterone deficiency.”

Notably, there is no established testosterone level below which an otherwise healthy woman is diagnosed as testosterone deficient. A blood test alone also cannot determine whether low testosterone is responsible for symptoms such as fatigue, low mood or loss of sexual desire.

However, the Menopause Society and other medical organizations support testosterone use in menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

“We do not have any evidence in women that it will improve muscle mass or bone density or mood or well-being or really any other metric,” said Dr Stephanie Faubion, director of Mayo Clinic's Center for Women's Health and medical director of The Menopause Society.

“What testosterone is being touted for in the lay public and on social media is not really what we have data for,” she said.

Are There Any Side Effects?

According to Cleveland Clinic, testosterone treatment generally isn’t recommended for women with cardiovascular disease, liver disease or hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast or uterine cancer.

Excess testosterone can cause acne, increased facial or body hair and scalp hair loss. Higher doses may also lead to voice deepening and clitoral enlargement, some of which can be irreversible.

Testosterone should therefore not be used in higher doses as a way to boost energy, muscle strength or libido.