Is it appropriate to treat a person with an active cold sore?

Treating a person with an active cold sore is generally not appropriate because cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which is highly contagious. When a cold sore is active, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to others, especially during close contact. Direct exposure can occur through physical touch or shared items like utensils or lip products.

In clinical settings, it's crucial to prioritize patient safety and the prevention of spreading infectious diseases. Therefore, treatments that could involve close contact or potential skin contact during an active outbreak should be avoided. Instead, it's recommended to provide guidance on managing symptoms and waiting until the cold sore has healed before initiating certain types of treatments or procedures.

While some treatments might be safe for use during an active outbreak (like certain topical medications), the general practice in a clinical environment adheres to avoiding treatment to protect both the patient and the practitioner.