Cold Sores Explained
Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, mouth, or nose that are caused by a virus. Cold sores are very common and contagious too. This can't be cured or prevented completely, only steps can be taken to reduce their frequency of occurrence.
Causes:
- This is caused by a virus herpes simplex virus (HSV).
- The virus is spread from person to person by kissing or other close contact.
- Infected saliva is also a means of transmitting the virus.
- A person infected with HSV can pass it on to another person even when a cold sore is not present because the virus is sometimes shed in saliva even when sores are not present.
- Shared eating utensils, razors and towels may spread this infection.
Symptoms:
Small, painful, fluid-filled
blisters on a raised, red area of your skin, mostly around the mouth.
- Commonly appear on your lips.
- It may occur inside your mouth - more often on your gums or hard palate.
- Infections typically involve a burning or tingling sensation that precedes the appearance of blisters by a few hours or a day or two.
- When cold sores recur, the blisters dry up rapidly and leave scab.
Signs and symptoms may not start for as long as 20 days after exposure to the herpes simplex virus, and usually last seven to 10 days.
Treatment:
- Cold sores can't be cured or prevented but steps can be taken to reduce as soon as possible.
- Cold sores often clear up without treatment in 7 to 10 days.
- Some medicines can cure the initial tingling or burning sensation that can stop blister from forming and also help the cold sore heal faster once it has formed.
· Take an OTC pain reliever.
- Apply ice or warm compresses to the blisters to ease the pain.
- Avoid squeezing, pinching or picking at any blister.
Prevention:
- Keep your lips moisturized with lip balm and cream.
- Avoid stress or overexposure to the sun.
- Always use a sunscreen lip balm with an SPF of at least 15.
- Have healthy diet.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid kissing and skin contact with people, especially children, while blisters are present.
- Don't share food, cups, glasses or towels with infected person.
- Keep your hands clean.
You must see the doctor when:
- You have a pre-existing health condition that has compromised your immune system
- The cold sores don't heal within one to two weeks on their own
- Symptoms are severe
- You have frequent recurrences of cold sores
- You experience irritation in your eyes
So whenever you get Cold sores just don't worry, take good care and follow the instructions above and you will be fine.
(Sources: coldsores.ca, emedicinehealth.com, mayoclinic.com)
(Image sources: ehow.com/how_4711623_care-cold-sore.html, well.ca/blog/2008/03/12/the-truth-about-cold-sores/, naturalskincareguide.org/tag/fever-blisters/, pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid=DDE23F5E-80A6-43F9-8881-A1B59C43B64)
