PMR and Cold Sores

[Rosekid]

Any info re lip Cold Sores and PMR ?

Does their recurrence ( while on steroids ) denote immunosuppression or merely stress,sunlight ,lack of sleep ?

[Kendrew]

Hi Rose kid,

I'm sure others with more knowledge on this matter will be along soon but I would just say that if we're on steroids for any length of time then we most certainly will have some degree of immuno-supression. This will vary from person to person depending on the dose of steroid being taken and the length of time they've been taking them.

Any degree of immuno-supression will inevitably mean an increased susceptibility to developing coldsores and therefore all those usual triggers such as exposure to the sun, stress, lack of sleep will probably have a much more frequent impact.

To me, it seems a bit like the situation:- 'Which came first, the chicken or the egg?'.......

.......Coldsores are often interpreted as a sign that we must be a bit under the weather and therefore our immune system is struggling a bit but on the other hand, the immuno-supression caused by the steroids will make us more predisposed to developing them!

I obviously don't know every detail of your medical history but assuming there are no other significant medical factors to consider, I'd personally not be too concerned about them. Just apply an approved cream containing something like Acyclovir to clear them up.... but always check with your pharmacist or another medical practitioner first though!

[SnazzyD]

All of the above I’d say, especially if you are already prone to them. I had them on higher doses for sure.

[bussell in reply to SnazzyD]

Me too! Catch them quick with Zovirax or similar.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Difficult to say - could be either. Kendrew has covered it really well - and I keep a tube of acyclovir cream in my handbag to use as soon as there is any tingling in my lips. Just ask for the cheapest bog standard stuff - and a small independent chemist is likely to be cheaper than the likes of Boots whose own label stuff costs more than the brand name!

[Rugger in reply to PMRpro]

Home Bargains, Virasorb 99p! (Other brands are no doubt available!)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rugger]

If only there was one here - I was 7 euros recently for a tube from the pharmacy!!!! Mind you - that will probably last years ...

[Rosekid]

Interesting that steroids ( same ones ) are used to treat severe herpes 1 lip sores yet the immunosuppression effect of same steroids ie glucosteroids , facilitates the herpes simplex 1 virus . How come ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rosekid]

The topical steroids are used to damp the local immune response and that aids the healing process.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Systemic steroids have a more general effect on the immune response. Not much of an explanation - but it is why