Cold Sore : Symptoms, Causes and Treatment for Cold Sore

Suddenly out of the blue your lip starts tingling and stinging, you feel the body temperature rising and to top it all your throat is sore today. You might take it casually but there is one reason to be extra vigilant regarding these signals as they fall in line with the symptoms of cold sore caused by herpes virus. The first thing you have got to do is to keep in mind that the ugly bump will take a week to heal and there is no need to apply a whole bunch of cosmetics to hide it. Watch out you might aggravate the problem. But you need to know the disorder, its symptoms, causes and treatment. Read on

Know the Symptoms of Cold Sore

 Cold Sore – symptoms causes treatment

Every year nearly 20 to 30 percent of the population suffers from cold sore. The initial symptoms of this sore are seen six to forty-eight hours before the cold sores actually develop in the form of burning, tingling, itching tenderness, numbness or pain in the concerned area. What follows thereafter is the appearance of a pimple like bump at the edge of your lips but when touched you feel it to be somewhat harder than what a pimple feels like. Soon after these first symptoms show up, you will find these painful red blisters appearing around and on the lips. After a few days these blisters break, discharge a clear fluid and form a scab. You might also experience these symptoms:

• Increase in body temperature
• Sore throat
• Swelled up lymph nodes present in the neck
• Sore mouth with difficulties in eating, drinking and sleeping

What are the Causes of Cold Sore

The causative agent of cold sore is a virus known as herpes simplex virus (HSV) which attacks the skin and the nervous system. HSV occurs in two strains HSV-1 and HSV-2 with the former causing cold sores and the latter leading to genital herpes. However, both these strains can cause mouth and genital sores. The sore can also appear upon transmission of HSV from an infected person to an uninfected person. When a sore breaks open, HSV is present in the fluid that comes out of that blister and a contact with it either through a direct touch or through the transfer of saliva of the infected person (sharing food, towels or kissing) passes HSV to the uninfected person. Moreover, HSV is also transmitted sexually.

Learn How to Get Rid of Cold Sore

Once you are infected with cold sores, the virus will stay in your body for the rest of your life but you need to remain prepared that they are likely to appear few times a year. Most cold sores will disappear on their own but if you consume medications, then that ensures that you reduce the time extent of cold sore and if possible you may even prevent its future outbreak. So there is a need that you adopt measures both through medications and home remedies that can help your body heal more quickly. Which one you choose is your discretion:

Treatment through Medications

Medical treatment of cold sores depends on whether this is your first outbreak or a recurrent outbreak or you are attempting to avoid future outbreaks. It is recommended that you go for oral antiviral medications if treating the first symptoms of your sore as that may help alleviate pain and perk up the healing time. For treating the recurrent outbreaks of cold sores you may use topical creams or ointments (with or without recommendation) to help reduce ache, itching sensation and healing time. This reduces the severity and duration of your recurring sore. However for those of you who have a weak immune system and are at the risk of a cold sore disease, then you can use a higher or a daily dose of the above medications to control your symptoms. Such persons are also advised to take antibiotic drugs after prescription to treat the disorder.

Treatment at Home

There are certain activities that can serve as triggers to a cold sore disorder, what is needed is a slight change in your lifestyle habits and manage the symptoms of cold sore effectively at home by adhering to the following measures:

• To reduce the redness and swelling on the affected area, it is recommended that you place a  cool and wet towel three times a day for twenty minutes duration.
• If you are infected and are moving out in direct sunlight, then make sure that you don’t prolong your exposure to sunlight. Always wear a lip balm or a sunscreen on your lips and on those areas that are susceptible to cold sores.
• Rinse your mouth with baking soda water to relive a sore mouth.
• Tomato and citric foods have a tendency to further exasperate your pain, so avoid these foods when having a cold sore.
• Avoid close contact (for instance kissing) with persons infected with cold sores or genital herpes.
• Learn some stress management techniques as practicing them would ensure that you have fewer outbreaks of these cold sores. Also make sure that you get regular exercise and a lot of sleep.
• Might appear to be too basic but it is highly recommended that you drink lots of water everyday.
• Make sure that you wash the hands often especially after you touch your infected face.
• You can even use cold compressors or ice to relieve the pain temporarily. Repeat the procedure after every hour.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, garlic and onion, ginger, beans and vegetable oils that have an ability to boost your immune system as cold sore easily attacks persons having a weak defense mechanism.
• It is also recommended that you consume a good vitamin and mineral supplement daily.
• Directly apply lemon balm or extract to the cold sore area to reduce the symptoms associated with the disorder. Moreover, lemon extract has curative properties that are identified to help boost the healing course of a blistered skin.
• Salt can also ease and cure cold sores. Moist your index finger slightly and dip it common salt and then gently press this finger against the cold sore for about thirty seconds. This will help you treat the blisters more effectively. To attain faster respite, follow up with application of aloe vera or any other tropical oil directly over the affected region.
• If you wish to go for a herbal treatment then, take two parts each of echinacea and cleavers, one part each of pokeroot and oats and combine them. Take one teaspoon of this blend in a saucepan and add one cup of boiling water to it and allow the mixture to stand for fifteen minutes before straining out the herbs. Make sure that you drink one cup of this tea twice every day till you find that the cold sores are gone.

There is no cure available for a cold sore but you can effectively treat it. The virus remains in your body even after the sore vanishes from your face. The above mentioned works best when followed, if you don’t follow these steps when undergoing a cold sore infection then the sore might take longer to heal. Adopting these measures makes sure that the duration of healing is minimized and your body is prepared to fight with a recurrent infection as and when it crops up. So stay informed and say healthy!

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