Even celebs get tell-tale tingle on their lips!

NOT even celebrities are immune to them. I’m talking about cold sores. Katie Holmes, formerly of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, was snapped last week by paparazzi with one on her lip.

It can’t be much fun for her to have these pictures plastered across newspapers everywhere.

Tom Cruise’s former squeeze can take solace from the fact cold sores are quite common. Most people carry the virus responsible, which is most often picked up in childhood. Called herpes simplex (type 1), it settles in a nerve sheath and, for most people, stays dormant.

Studies suggest around four in five people carry the virus that causes cold sores, but fewer than half of these will develop the typical symptoms.

There are a few things which can trigger a cold sore. People who are ill with the flu or a cold, or are simply run down, are at risk.

Women can be more vulnerable around their periods, and strong, direct sunlight can trigger them too.

You mustn’t kiss anyone for days

The first symptom is the little tingle or itch on the lips or nose, followed by the appearance of small blisters.

These blisters are filled with fluid containing the herpes virus, and may take several days to scab over.

During this time they can be quite sore, but also very infectious — it’s probably best for those with cold sores not to kiss people, or share chap sticks or cups.

They should also avoid touching the lesions and wash hands thoroughly if they do.

The scabs can take roughly two weeks to heal. Painkillers will help any discomfort, but there are also antiviral creams (such as aciclovir or Zovirax) that can help.

These won’t kill the virus, but can stop it multiplying and may lessen the length and severity of your troublesome cold sores.

The creams are available over the counter from the chemist, but need to be started before blisters appear and applied frequently for 4-5 days.

So if you’re susceptible to these sores pay attention to the tell-tale tingle.