by Linda Cann Pearson

Created on: August 26, 2010

Cold sores are uncomfortable, unsightly, embarrassing and contagious.  No one wants a cold sore and when someone gets one, he or she desperately tries to hide it with their hands, a big floppy hat or scarf, or some putty-type makeup.  They try miraculous sounding remedies that promise to hurry that ugly blemish on its way and off your face.

What is a cold sore?

A cold sore is a fever blister caused by a strain of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).  Type 1 herpes is not the same herpes virus that affects the genital area.  That virus is type 2.  Once you have contracted the herpes virus, the virus will remain dormant in your body throughout your lifetime, occasionally flaring up if conditions are right.  Cold sores are different than canker sores.  Canker sores are bacterial infections, not viruses, and are usually found inside the mouth, not outside like cold sores.

A cold sore blister typically starts out as a red itchy area, then a red bump, usually around the mouth, nose or other areas of the face.  The bump will usually feel itchy, burning, tingly and tight.  Over a period of several days the bump fills up with liquid, turning into a crusty annoying blister.  It can take as long as two weeks, even longer, for the blister to completely heal and disappear.  Future cold sores most often occur in the same area as previous cold sores.  

What causes a cold sore?

Coming in close physical contact with a person who has a cold sore, especially an open sore, such as when kissed, coughed on or sneezed on by that person, is the most likely method of contracting the virus.  A contagious person can also transmit the virus to another person through saliva even without any noticeable symptoms of active cold sores.

Once the virus is contracted, future cold sores can flare up for a variety of reasons.  If a person is suffering from a fever, cold or the flu or is under a lot of stress, their immune system has been compromised and is more vulnerable to a flare-up.  Hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle can also lead to an outbreak of cold sores.  Even weather conditions such as cold, wind or sunlight can trigger a flare-up.

How to get rid of a cold sore?

1)   Avoid touching or scratching the cold sore.  Never pick or squeeze the sore.  Any touching will only aggravate the blister, spreading the pussy liquid to a larger area, and prolonging the healing process.

2)  

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>