Final answer:
Cheilitis is a condition that affects the lips, manifesting as cracks or sores due to exposure to cold temperatures. It differs from cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and can be highly contagious.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you have been shoveling snow for an hour in frigid temperatures and now suspect that you have cheilitis, it means that the part of your body that is affected by this condition is your lips. Cheilitis is characterized by cracks or sores on the outer surface of the lips (cheliosis). This condition can be caused by exposure to cold weather, which can dry out the lips and make them more susceptible to splitting and inflammation.
In contrast to cheilitis, cold sores are red, fluid-filled blisters that often appear near the mouth or on other areas of the face and are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). These are highly contagious and can spread through direct contact, even when no sore is visible.