Introduction
Cold sores are contagious skin lesions caused by the herpes virus. The sores are also known as fever blisters. After exposure to the herpes simplex virus, the first cold sore usually develops in 20 days. Although cold sores are very common, not everyone who is exposed to the skin eruptions gets the disease. Cold sores have no cure but there are medical and herbal treatments that can prevent the development of cold sores or accelerate the healing time.
Cold Sores Defined
Cold sores are skin lesions that usually develop around lips, mouth, nose and chin. But cold sores are also found in the mouth, on the hands or in rare cases, in the eyes. Cold sores are small, fluid-filled, red blisters that are quite noticeable. The sores are also painful. Peoples' immune systems are different and this affects the frequency, duration and number of cold sores. Symptoms of cold sores vary with each person. With some people a hard bump forms under the skin and a few days later the cold sore develops. For others there is pain, itching or tingling in the site area before the cold sore forms. According to the Mayo Clinic, "The blisters form, break and ooze. Then a yellow crust forms and finally sloughs off to uncover pinkish skin that heals without a scar."
Cold Sore Development
The herpes simplex virus has two types. Type 1 mostly causes cold sores. But Type 2, which usually causes genital herpes, can also cause cold sores. Herpes is spread in many ways and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention people can spread herpes without knowing they have it. The Mayo Clinic says, "You get the first episode of herpes infection from another person who has an active lesion." The most common method of transmission is kissing or touching the face of an infected person. Cold sores usually heal in time without using any treatments. Some people have one cold sore during their lives while others get frequent outbreaks. Cold sore development can be triggered in several ways. Stress, poor diet, too much sun exposure and not even sleep can all bring about a cold sore. An illness that compromises the immune system can also trigger cold sores.
Tags: cold sore, sores also, cold sore, cold sores, Cold sores