Cold sores and soda cans

@jillhill (37354)
United States
January 3, 2008 8:39pm CST
Many years ago I was hounded by those bothersome cold sores that first feel like they are on fire on your lip then turn into the nastiest looking things that hurt like the dickens. One day some asked me if I drank my soda right from the can....well I did. They said if I would drink the soda with a straw I might not have the cold sores. Well I stopped drinking straight from the can and haven't had a cold sore since. It was probably more like a metal allergy but it was very good advice. Recently a gal at work also was having the same kind of problem...I passed the info onto her and she hasn't had any since either. Do you drink your soda straight from a can or do you pour it into a glass or use a straw?
4 people like this
9 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Thanks for the information. I did not know this fact. I drink it from the can but have never had a cold sore in my life. One of our daughter's gets cold sores constantly and does drink from the can so I can mention this to her. It's my understanding a cold sore is a form of herpes. Not the same as what causes herpes on other parts of the body but is basically the same kind of virus. Various tests were done on soda can lids and they can be full of bacteria. Thanks for the interesting information and I will buy our daughter a box of straws and see if that helps.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
4 Jan 08
It seems to me there was a study done and the Ecoli level on soda top cans was very high. This study was complete about a year ago or so. The suggestion was to wash the can tops with soap and water, before using, to prevent getting a virus.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I do understand that cold sores are a form of herpes. That is why I said it could be more of a metal allergy because they have quit all together! You didn't offend me. So it's cool Carol!
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Whew, I was worried.
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I drink very little soda and usually it is in a glass at a restaurant. I have two clients who are plagued by cold sores right now, though. One of them drinks pop daily from a can, the other does not, because she is on a strict diet. This makes sense to me though, because I used to get canker sores in my mouth everywhere the dental equipment touched my mouth, inside or out. It does not do that anymore, but I take a lot more vitamins now. I will suggest this to the one girl. I did suggest the other girl use a straw because her plastic bottles of flavored water hurt when she touched them to her mouth.
@GardenGerty (160642)
• United States
5 Jan 08
I talked to both of my clients about using clean straws for drinking their pop.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Strange isn't it? I never thought of it before and when I quit so did the sores! I am grateful they are gone!
1 person likes this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
4 Jan 08
The real cold sores are passed from someone kissing another on the lips when they have the cold sores. I used to get them as kid every time I had a cold. That was back before soda was put in cans and We didn't drink as much soda as people do today. we also called them fever blisters, because they preceded a fever taht acompanies flu or a cold.
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
4 Jan 08
In High School I always drank my sodas out of a straw that I put in the can. At some point I stopped doing that and now I just drink it straight from the can. Unless it is warm, then I pour it into a cup with ice. I've never gotten a sore from it though.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I am glad you haven't they hurt like heck~! LOL Thanks for posting!
@hopejordan (3561)
• Australia
4 Jan 08
hi there jillhill yes i know it hurts those cold sores i don't like it when i get it but i can't help it because it just comes like that but it does sting when you drink something or even when you make a salad i put vinger init and when i start to eat it then the vinger from the salad it burns thanks for this discussions and happy postings
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Thank you for posting hope jordan!
• United States
4 Jan 08
Hmm I do both but I don't think that soda cans are what causes cold sores...Like you said I think it is more of a metal allergy than anything else...at restaurants I pour into a cup and drink it with a straw at home I drink straight from the can...
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I think for me it's the acid in the soda combining with the metal of the can.....its nice to not have them anymore!
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
4 Jan 08
i usually drink my soda straight from the can. but since you said it has that kind of allergic effect, i would try to avoid that habit. i seldom buy canned drinks though. nevertheless, i would keep this in mind. ^__^
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Good idea!!
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I used to always drink straight out of the can. When my teeth started to bother me I started drinking out of a cup with a straw. I actually prefer the cup and straw over the can now. I have never had a cold sore in my life, but they do not look like fun to me. I am glad you stopped getting them. They look like they hurt.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
They really do..first it's like your lip is on fire then it get worse! Thanks for posting!
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
4 Jan 08
I always use a straw. Dentist told me long ago that drinking with a straw makes the liquid go through your mouth without getting on your teeth very much. So things like tea (of coffee!) don't stain as much! I drink tea constantly all year round with a straw and my teeth are not at all stained by them - course good teeth grooming is a must too, but no tea stains do I have. I do get the cold sores if I drink Orange juice, take vitamin C supplements or eat anything with C or citric acid in it.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Yes. I have heard about vitamin c doing that....and it is one of the things that irritates gout too!