Question 1

how likely am i to get herpes from a friends that i let use my chapstick && she smoked off me too ? she has type 1&2

Accepted Answer

Possible: I'm more worried about the chapstick than the cigarette. Smoking is short intermittent touches to your lips, less likely for transmission. On the other hand, if she infected your chapstick and then you used it and it sat with virus on your lips for hours - not so good. I would be very aware of any lesions that even feel like they are developing, as there are antivirals that can be used.

Question 2

can you get herpes on the mouth from someone with genetal herpes from sharing a chapstick?

Accepted Answer

No risk, no worry: There would be a small risk of transmission if you were speaking of oral herpes. But if someone has genital herpes, it is unlikely s/he also has oral infection and the risk is extremely low, probably zero. However, nobody should ever share chapstick or lipstick anyway; it's a great way to pass on colds, flu, or other infection besides herpes.

Question 3

can you catch herpes from chapstick?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If someone with herpes uses your chapstick then you certainly can catch it if you use it after that person. So, it probably is not a good idea to share these types of things.

Question 4

can you catch herpes by sharing chapstick? i am 99.99 % sure i did not share my chapstick with my friend (who has no open sores), but i wanted to make sure?

Accepted Answer

: I have seen no studies on this but you can go to pubmed.com and search herpes AND Chapstick and see. I am 99% sure it would not be passed in this manner but see what the world's literature says.

Question 5

i used my chapstick yesterday & woke up with a coldsore this morning.i just realized my toddler got a hold of my chapstick & ate/possibly put it on. could she catch herpes this way? i am always very careful and never share anything or kiss on the lips, no

Accepted Answer

It is possible: but less likely.  Your toddler is more likely to contract the coldsore virus when you kiss her (even if it is not on the lips).  The HSV-1 virus is spread by direct contact: most often lip to lip or lip to skin, but it can live a short amount of time in the saliva on utensils, toothbrushes, lip balm etc. You can be infective before the outbreak, but most infective when there are blisters visible.

Question 6

how do i know if i have herpes, i let my friends use my lip balm?

Accepted Answer

Herpes: The only true and valid way to diagnose herpes is to have the herpes blood test.

Question 7

is it possible to "pick up" virus of herpes simplex1 by using lip balm of person who has got the active period 2 month ago and used lipbalm only than?

Accepted Answer

No: This virus is not likely to survive outside the body for more than a few seconds.  Viruses require cells in which to live, they are not independent creatures, but are parasites which require the presence of a host to provide nutrients, etc.

Question 8

i used my friends chapstick and a few hours later she went to the dr and found out she had strep... will i get it or not likely??

Accepted Answer

Only time will tell: and you can do nothing now to prevent it.  Not a good idea to share personal applicators of any type.  Good luck!

Question 9

why do chapstick labels say keep out of reach of children?  i mean i get because they could eat the whole thing...but is it really that harmful?

Accepted Answer

Kind of: Chapstick itself is camphor, beeswax, and scents. Those are not harmful. A child could eat the chapstick and possibly aspirate it and choke, however far more likely is a child would aspirate the cap on the chapstick and have trouble breathing.

Question 10

will you get sick if you eat some chapstick?

Accepted Answer

Lip balms: Some Lip balms contain materials that some people try to avoid such as Octinoxate, Oxybenzone,  Avobenzone,  Cinnimate or parabens.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Can you get herpes from chapstick

A member asked:

How likely am i to get herpes from a friends that i let use my chapstick && she smoked off me too ? she has type 1&2

A member asked:

Can you get herpes on the mouth from someone with genetal herpes from sharing a chapstick?

A member asked:

Can you catch herpes from chapstick?

A member asked:

Can you catch herpes by sharing chapstick? i am 99.99 % sure i did not share my chapstick with my friend (who has no open sores), but i wanted to make sure?

A member asked:

I used my chapstick yesterday & woke up with a coldsore this morning.i just realized my toddler got a hold of my chapstick & ate/possibly put it on. could she catch herpes this way? i am always very careful and never share anything or kiss on the lips, no

A member asked:

How do i know if i have herpes, i let my friends use my lip balm?

A member asked:

Is it possible to "pick up" virus of herpes simplex1 by using lip balm of person who has got the active period 2 month ago and used lipbalm only than?

A member asked:

I used my friends chapstick and a few hours later she went to the dr and found out she had strep... will i get it or not likely??

A member asked:

Why do chapstick labels say keep out of reach of children? i mean i get because they could eat the whole thing...but is it really that harmful?

A member asked:

Will you get sick if you eat some chapstick?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?