Mask wearing and coldsores

[Bzzzzzbumblebee]

To start this is not an antimask post, I am quite happy wearing it.

I am a teacher so in a mask most of the day (we are teaching in masks at my school). But this week I have gotten a massive cold sore (about 1.5 twenty pence side by side) under my nose, which is fair to say has been quite painful.

I wore compeed plasters over to stop it touching the mask and risk spreading it.

Just wondered if this is entirely coincidental (I do get bad coldsores but this is the worse in a very long time) or if the mask might have contributed? If the mask what can I do to prevent further? Would a medical mask be better?

Any longtime mask wearers + coldsores sufferers able to offer any advice?

I've always suffered with coldsores, I usually get them a couple times a year, small ones, corner of my mouth, usually clear up in about a week.

Except now I wear a mask 8 hours a day at work. I've had the largest sore I've ever had, about the diameter of a 5p. It's been on my face for SIX WEEKS. I feel like a fecking leper!