As soon as the weather gets cold, lips start to become dry and flaky. Sometimes herpes appears, which not only spoils your appearance but also causes pain. Why does it become more active during the autumn-winter season – and can it be "disarmed" before the rash appears? We discussed this with Anna Muzychenko, a dermatologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology at the Belarusian State Medical University.
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Anna Muzychenko, photo credit: smartpress.by
Why does herpes flare up most often in autumn and winter?
In most people, the herpes virus lives in the body in a latent form and only becomes active when the immune system weakens. This often happens during the cold season – due to frequent respiratory infections, exposure to cold, lack of sleep and vitamin deficiencies.
Cold and windy weather outdoors, along with dry air in heated rooms, also contribute to skin dehydration, leading to increased dryness of the lips. This makes them more vulnerable to infections.
Can herpes be recognised before the unpleasant blisters appear?
6 to 24 hours before the rash appears, you may feel a mild burning, itching, tingling or soreness – these "warning signs" occur because the virus is actively multiplying in the epidermis and irritating the nerve endings.
Small grouped blisters filled with serous fluid then appear on the lip. The blisters eventually burst, forming weeping erosions, which then dry out and become crusted. Complete healing usually takes about 10 to 14 days.
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As the blisters heal, they burst, dry up and form scabs, photo credit: smartpress.by.
When should treatment begin – when the blisters appear, or earlier?
If you respond at the stage of burning or itching, the rash may not develop at all. Or it may appear, but be very mild. If you miss that window, treatment should begin as soon as the first blisters appear. It is important not only to slow down viral replication but also to speed up skin regeneration and prevent secondary infection.
Combination herbal lip products – creams with propolis, pelargonium and liquorice extracts – are excellent at tackling these tasks. Propolis and pelargonium extract have antiviral activity: they inhibit the replication of the herpes simplex virus, and also provide anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Liquorice extract stimulates the production of gamma-interferon (i.e. triggers immune defence) and enhances the activity of natural killer cells – immune agents that recognise and destroy virus-infected cells.
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Article author: Irina Ivlieva, 5 November 2025
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