Cold Sores: Causes and Treatments
Unlike canker sores, cold sores have a well-known cause – a virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for most cases of cold sores.
Cold sores are characterized by:
- Blistering of the lips or around the mouth
- Pain which is initially severe and then dissipates over 4-5 days
- Lesions appear 2 days to 2 weeks after the person has been exposed
- The initial case may be associated with fever, feeling weak, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes
If there are ulcers near or on the border of the red part of the lip, and they have come back on a couple of occasions in the same location, this is probably a cold sore. This is in contrast to canker sores, which often occur at different places in the oral cavity.
Cold sores are contagious. Do not kiss someone with a cold sore. The virus can live on the hand, if you touch your finger to your cold sore. So if you are applying medication to a child – wear a glove and wash your hands afterwards.
Cold sores reoccur and are often brought on by fever, stress or sunlight. The virus lives in the body and cannot be cured. Those with bad cases can have the cases reduced with the regular use of antiviral medications.
When to worry
Most self-limiting mouth lesions are painful and last 7-10 days. Certain factors increase the likelihood of a more serious condition:
- Painless lesion
- Wound that does not heal in 10 days
Treatment
For comfort, treatment is similar to the treatment for canker sores. Since it is caused by a virus, the medications used to treat the condition is different. There are multiple over the counter and multiple prescription drugs that can treat cold sores.
For more information on cold sores check out the free ebook: How to Use Over the Counter Products: A Guide to the Drug Store. The chapter on cold sores provides more details on treatment options including the most effective over-the-counter products and can be found at www.fastandeasyhealth.com
Questions and Answers
With cold sores so prevalent, why not use a natural remedy for fever blisters to prevent their occurrence in the first place, and the personal diet is a great way to do that.
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or herpes simplex type 2. Herpes Infections can range from manifestation of blisters or cold sores on the skin or other parts of the body such as mouth, lips, inside the mouth, eyes, chin, fingers, and genital areas; to a rare condition like encephalitis where the brain becomes inflamed with virus.
The cold sore herpes virus is extremely destructive during the process of creating more of its own kind. In a minute you will see why and how. And you will learn what you can do to prevent the cold sore herpes from causing an explosion on your lip.
Don't know much about herpes simplex virus and how it affects the human body? Then this article is for you. Read the rest of the content to find out the types of herpes virus, its symptoms, treatment and preventive methods to take.
There are various types of herpes virus. The Herpes Simplex Virus type (HSV) 1 and type 2 are the most prevalent ones.
Herpes simplex virus infection is increasingly common in the United States. Oral herpes causes cold sores around the mouth or face.
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