I've been getting coldsores -- prominent coldsores -- on my face, since I was a small child. The origins of these pesky 7-10 day break-outs are at best, a mystery. My mother believes she had one on her lip, kissed me on the nose and boom -- the virus found a way into my system. I've been cursed ever since. That may be how it all started but at this point, it really doesn't matter. I get them and I get them pretty regularly. And no, I'm not mad at my mom.

When I was a kid and heck, even now... The word "coldsore" is banned. No one is allowd to say it around me because I'm convinced that if they do, I will get one. It's a mind-control thing. I don't know if the simple uttering of the word has any bearing on whether I actually get one or not. I think I just need to feel like I have some control over the uncontrollable.

As a college senior, hoping to pursue a career in the TV news business, I had some concerns I wouldn't be able to get a job as an on-air reporter or anchor because of them. My biggest fear was an outbreak right before an interview. I've been spared, so far... but since becoming "on-air talent" I've had quiet a few doozies. Most recently, I had one that literally covered the entire bridge of my nose. I actually went to the doctor hoping he could provide some kind of miracle drug to dry it out faster -- just plain make it go away!!! That obviously didn't happen. Right now, I have two of the scabby little growths. One on my lip and one right above it. They are gross. Especially when caked with make-up and lipstick. What's a girl to do??? Suffer through, I guess. It's what I've been doing for the last ten years of my career and until someone finds a cure, it's what I'll continue to do.

It's actually kind of embarassing to have these things. I don't typically try to hide the fact that I get them, but I do feel it's important to cover them up before a broadcast (even though I don't want to! I think they heal faster when not subjected to make-up). I guess I'm wondering how badly you, the viewer, can see them. To me, they seem HUGE! I dread the day we switch over to HD. I've been blessed with a pretty smooth complexion, but these sores are going to be very noticable when we go HD. So, if you see something that just doesn't look right on my face, it's probably a coldsore I've attempted to mask with TONS of makeup!

I'll never forget the time a viewer emailed, asking if I had gotten lip injections. That time, it was my entire upper lip that was afflicted. I guess on TV my lips must have looked a little like Angelina Jolie's, which isn't so bad, because she's very pretty. The problem is, I'm not going for the "bee-stung, sexy-lip-look". I'm typically just trying to cover up a coldsore! I responded to the woman's email explaining my "change in appearance". She was very nice about it and I felt good, for once, about my coldsores.

I guess coldsores and TV do go together, afterall! They're gonna have to, as long as I'm in the biz:)