Have you ever experienced this problem in summer? As soon as you start spending more time in the sun, an unpleasant tingling sensation appears on your lips.
The reason is often cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), around two-thirds of all people under the age of 50 are carriers of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Many people become infected during childhood – often without even noticing it.
What Is HSV-1?
When talking about cold sores, the term HSV-1 often comes up. It stands for herpes simplex virus type 1.
There is also HSV-2. Both viruses belong to the same virus family and work in a similar way: after the initial infection, the virus remains in the body for life.
However, this does not mean that symptoms occur continuously. Many people do not experience any noticeable symptoms for long periods of time.
Why Do Cold Sores Keep Coming Back?
Once a person has been infected, herpes viruses cannot be completely eliminated from the body. They remain permanently dormant in certain nerve cells and can become active again when triggered by various factors.
The most common triggers include:
Intense exposure to sunlight
UV radiation in the mountains or by the sea
Stress
Infections or fever
A temporarily weakened immune system
Especially during the summer months, UV radiation is one of the most common triggers for a recurrence.
Why Are the Lips Particularly Sensitive?
The lips contain very little protective melanin and are directly exposed to the sun. As a result, they are particularly sensitive to intense UV radiation.
Especially when spending time near water, as is common during the summer months, UV exposure can be further increased by reflection.
That is why it is advisable to protect your lips before spending extended periods in the sun.
Prevention Is Better Than Treatment
Since the virus remains in the body permanently, prevention plays an important role.
This includes:
Consistent UV protection for the lips
Getting enough sleep
A balanced diet
Reducing stress whenever possible
Good lip care
The better the lips are protected from external stress, the less additional strain is placed on their sensitive skin.
Labisan – Protection for Your Lips on Sunny Days
Our Labisan Protective was specially developed to protect sensitive lips.
The lip balm contains 22% pharmaceutical-grade, non-nanoparticulate zinc oxide, which forms a protective barrier on the lips while also providing a sun protection factor of 20.
Another advantage: Labisan is free from fragrances and flavourings, making it particularly suitable for sensitive or already irritated lips.
Whether hiking, relaxing on the beach, or cycling, the lip balm is easy to apply and helps provide daily protection for the lips against intense sunlight.
Conclusion
Cold sores affect millions of people worldwide and often appear precisely when the sun is at its strongest. Although the virus cannot be eliminated from the body, preventive measures can nevertheless help protect the lips from external stress.
With reliable UV protection such as Labisan Protective, you can protect your lips exactly where they are most exposed to the sun during summer – before the first tingling sensation appears.
