Cold sores are common blisters that develop on the mouth and lips due to the herpes simplex virus. The outbreak is highly contagious in nature and can easily spread from person to person via surface contact. There is no cure for cold sores, and at best, certain preventive measures can be taken for managing the discomforts during flare-ups.

For this, it is necessary to understand the possible causes and triggers of cold sore outbreaks. Here are the top five causes of cold sores.

1. Weak immunity
The immune system is the first barrier of defense against external viruses, fungi, and bacteria that cause commonly known diseases and disorders. The herpes simplex virus can penetrate a weakened immune system and cause small fever blisters to break out without warning. In most cases, the virus stays dormant in the body but can trigger a cold sore outbreak if the body’s immunity is compromised in any manner.

2. Changes in hormonal cycles
Women experience a number of changes in their hormone cycle during menstruation, pregnancy, and later during menopause. These hormonal imbalances can trigger a shift in metabolic responses, resulting in cold sore outbreaks. For some women, the outbreaks may appear in a consistent pattern during menstruation. Doctors usually recommend relaxation techniques and stress-alleviating exercises to keep outbreaks in check during pregnancy.

3. Exposure to weather
Prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays of the sun has been cited as one of the triggers of cold sore outbreaks. This has been noticed among people who experience the common cold combined with exposure outdoors. In many cases, abrupt changes in the moisture content affecting humidity and cold weather can also cause these blisters to erupt. The dry air and cold weather cause the lips to crack and break and, as a result, makes them more vulnerable to such outbreaks.

4. Stress and fatigue
Stress is often behind several of the health complications a person develops over the years. Both physical and mental stress has a detrimental effect on the body’s immunity. A weak immune system increases the risk of cold sore outbreaks significantly. Similarly, fatigue depletes the body’s energy reserves and makes a person more vulnerable to such outbreaks. It is difficult for the body to then repair and regenerate damaged cells to counter an outbreak efficiently.

5. Dental problems
Since these blisters develop in and around the mouth, common dental problems can trigger a cold sore outbreak. Many people experience a lot of stress and anxiety while undergoing dental treatments for cavities, root canals, or even extractions. The sores may develop as a response to this additional stress that compromises the immune system. Even applying pressure on the mouth while using various tools for root canals or extractions can trigger the infection.

Certain foods rich in arginine, a compound usually found in meats, certain nuts, legumes, and common whole grains, can also increase the likelihood of an outbreak.