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- $Unique_ID{BRK00387}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Tanning and Cold Sores}
- $Subject{cold sore tanning virus Ill Defined Symptoms symptom virus viruses
- viral Infections ultraviolet UV infection oral herpes sores recur rash
- sunscreen}
- $Volume{N-20, A-20}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Tanning and Cold Sores
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- QUESTION: I recently spent several sessions in a local tanning parlor,
- despite the advice of my friends. In addition to an improvement in my tan, I
- also developed a painful cold sore. Are these two things related, and if so
- what should I do about it?
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-
- ANSWER: Apparently they are, for recent research has discovered that exposure
- to ultraviolet (UV) light in amounts sufficient to cause a sunburn on your
- face will also reactivate an infection of oral herpes, or a cold sore. These
- sores will only pop out in areas where they have appeared before, and so you
- are not suffering from a new infection but rather from another attack of
- herpes in a previously affected spot. Herpes virus infections remain quiet
- over long periods of time and only recur when the virus is stimulated to
- regrow within nerve cells where it lies dormant. Then the rash that signifies
- the infection reappears when the virus travels down the nerve to infect the
- skin. You have two choices, as I see it. Stay out of the tanning parlor and
- do your skin a favor. Remember the damage you do now may show up later in
- life as a skin cancer. If good sense can not prevail, then use a strong
- sunscreen cream on all skin areas where you have previously had a herpes sore.
- This may offer enough protection to prevent the development of the infection
- and rash.
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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