by Jennifer Kirkman

Created on: December 15, 2009

I think one of the most painful things is a cold sore on the lips! Every time you touch it, try to eat or anything, it feels very painful. I have had enough of them to know what it is like. Cold sores sometimes have no cause for them happening. But there are on the other hand, certain triggers that will definitely set the stage for one.

The underlying virus which brings on the cold sores is known as the HSV virus, which is the herpes simplex virus. The HSV virus is also quite contagious, so if you have a big sore on your lips and kiss someone, then they will probably get it too. When the sore is fresh is the time when it is mostly contagious. After it is beginning to heal and dry up, this is when it can no longer spread to another person.HSV also lays very deep within the roots of nerves and dormant inside the system, so this explains some of the reasons that this virus happens to some people.

Sometimes HSV emerges as part of having the flu. This is one way that flu symptoms will sometimes show is by you getting a cold sore. Other causes are running a fever, the common cold, and exposure to the sun for long periods of time.

Other causes for a cold sore emerging may relate to stressful periods in one's life. Stress alone can really upset the whole balance of the body chemistry causing headaches, heart irregularities, nausea and vomiting, lack of sleep, lowered immunity, and along with lowered immunity can be the appearance of a cold sore.

If you have had any type of skin problems, or are prone to different types of skin problems, you are more likely to contract the HSV virus in the body. Also, any person that is affected by HIV with lowered immunity, are more likely than others with a normal immune system to contract many cold sores in a row since lowered immunity affects the nerves.

There are things you can do to help your cold sore feel better. There is over-the-counter drug Abbreva which is a bit on the expensive side, but can dissolve your cold sores in a hurry within a couple days. There is also Blistex, and Campho-Phenique which will burn when you apply it to your lips, but it helps to attack the sore.

To prevent cold sores, work on lowering your stress levels, eat properly to boost immunity, and keep lip balm of any sort on your lips. Moisturizing the lips often helps them from becoming very dry and cracked.

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