Cold Sores

Cold sores are red blisters that break out on the face near the mouth or in other places. Most of the time, type 1 is caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Most cold sores show up in groups called patches. They may last for at least two weeks. Cold sores can sometimes show up on the fingers, in the nose, or inside the mouth.

People can get these sores from being close to each other, like when they kiss. Even if you can’t see the sores, they can still spread.

Cold sores have no cure, and they can come back at any time. Some medicines can heal cold sores and keep them from coming back.

What causes cold sores?

The herpes simplex virus is what causes cold sores. The herpes simplex virus comes in two forms. Most of the time, the herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) virus causes cold sores, and the herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2) virus causes genital herpes.

Both kinds of the virus cause sores that look pretty much the same. HSV-1 can also cause sores in the mouth, and HSV-2 can cause sores in the genital area.

Cold sores that can be seen can spread, but they can also spread when they can’t be seen. You can get the herpes simplex virus by being around people who already have it. This can happen when people kiss, share makeup, or eat together. Both cold sores and genital herpes can be spread through oral sex.

Reinfection

You can’t get rid of the herpes simplex virus once you have it, but you can take care of it. The virus stays in your body even after the sores have healed. This means that when the virus comes back, new sores can show up at any time.

Some people with the virus say they get sick more often when their immune systems are weak, like when they are sick or under a lot of stress.

Cold sore symptoms

You might feel like your lips or face are tingling or burning a few days before you get a cold sore. The best time to start treatment is right now.

Once the sore is there, you’ll see a raised, red blister with fluid inside it. Most of the time, it will hurt and be sore to touch. There could be more than one wound.

The cold sore will be contagious until it crusts over, which could take up to two weeks. After you get the herpes simplex virus, it could take up to 20 days for your first cold sore to show up.

During an outbreak, you may also have one or more of the following signs:

• fever
• muscle aches
• swollen lymph nodes

If you get eye symptoms when you have a cold sore, you should call your doctor right away. If you don’t treat the herpes simplex virus right away, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Stages of a cold sore

There are five stages to a cold sore:

• Stage 1: About 24 hours before blisters appear, the skin starts to tingle and itch.
• Stage 2: Blisters that are filled with fluid form.
• Stage 3: The blisters break, leak, and turn into sores that hurt.
• Stage 4: The sores get dry and crusty, which makes them itch and crack.
• Stage 5: the scab falls off and the cold sore gets better.

Cold sore risk factors

The Mayo Clinic says that the herpes simplex type 1 virus is found in 90% of adults around the world. Once you have the virus, there are some things that could make it come back.

• infection, fever, or a cold
• sun exposure
• stress
• HIV/AIDS or a weakened immune system
• menstruation
• severe burns
• eczema
• chemotherapy
• dental work

You could get a cold sore if you kiss someone with one, share food or drinks, or use the same toothbrush or razor. Even if there are no visible blisters, you can get the virus if you touch the saliva of someone who has it.

Complications associated with cold sores

When you get herpes simplex for the first time, your body hasn’t yet built up a defence against the virus, so the symptoms and complications can be worse. Problems are rare, but they can happen, especially in young kids. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should call your doctor right away:

• high or persistent fever
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• red, irritated eyes with or without discharge

People with eczema or a disease that weakens their immune system, like cancer or AIDS, are more likely to have complications. If you think you have the herpes simplex virus and you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor.

Treating cold sores

Cold sores can’t be cured, but some people who have the herpes simplex virus don’t get them very often. There are several ways to treat cold sores when they show up.

Ointments and creams

When cold sores bother you, antiviral ointments like penciclovir may help ease the pain and speed up the healing process (Denavir). Most ointments work best when they are put on as soon as the first signs of a sore show up. They will need to be put on four to five times a day for four to five days.

Docosanol (Abreva) is a different kind of treatment. It’s a cream you can buy without a prescription that can shorten an outbreak by a few hours to a day. The cream needs to be used more than once a day.

Medications

Oral antiviral drugs like acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) can also be used to treat cold sores (Famvir). You can only get these drugs with a prescription.

If you have problems with your cold sores or if they come back often, your doctor may tell you to take antiviral medicines every day.

Home remedies

Putting ice on the sores or using washcloths that have been soaked in cold water can help ease the pain. Use lip balm with lemon extract as an alternative way to treat cold sores.

Some people have fewer outbreaks when they take lysine supplements on a regular basis.

The cooling gel inside the leaves of the aloe plant could help with cold sores. Apply aloe vera gel or lip balm with aloe vera three times a day to a cold sore.

A petroleum jelly like Vaseline might not heal a cold sore, but it might make it less painful. The jelly keeps the skin from breaking. It also keeps irritants from the outside from getting in.

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can help heal cold sores by drying them out, but it can hurt when you put it on. In one study, Scientists in one study showed that witch hazel has antiviral properties that may stop cold sores from getting worse. Still, no one knows for sure if cold sores heal faster if they are kept wet or dry.

Always apply home remedies, Cold sore creams, gels, or ointments should always be put on with a clean cotton swab or cotton ball.

Canker sores versus cold sores

Canker sores and cold sores both hurt and make you feel bad, but that’s about all they have in common. Ulcers on the inside of the mouth, tongue, throat, and cheeks are called canker sores. Most of the time, they are flat spots.

They are not contagious, and the herpes simplex virus does not cause them.

Most cold sores happen on the lips and around the mouth. They spread very easily. Cold sores are raised and look like they have “bubbles” on them.

Preventing cold sores from spreading

Cold sores can spread to other people if you don’t wash your hands often and don’t touch their skin. During an outbreak, don’t share things that touch your mouth, like lip balm and eating tools, with other people.

You can keep the cold sore virus from coming back if you know what sets it off and take steps to stop it. Some ways to avoid accidents are:

• If you get cold sores when you’re in the sun, use a zinc oxide lip balm before you go outside.
• If you always get a cold sore when you’re stressed, try things like meditation and writing in a journal.
• If someone has a cold sore, don’t kiss them, and if they have active genital herpes, don’t have oral sex with them.