Cold sores are those annoying fluid filled blisters that typically appear on your lips, under your nose or even in the corners of your eyes. They are painful and often last several days. Aside from the discomfort they cause, cold sores are also unattractive. Many sufferers experience cold sores several times a year and an unlucky few are afflicted with them on an even more frequent basis.
The Facts
Cold sores, also referred to as fever blisters, are the generally the result of the Herpes simplex virus 1. This virus is not of the same strand that causes genital Herpes. Exposure to the virus most often occurs through skin-to-skin contact. The normal incubation time following exposure is two days to two weeks. Once someone has been initially exposed the virus remains in the body in a dormant state until a trigger causes another outbreak. The immune system of certain individuals is able to completely suppress outbreaks though they still may carry the virus while others experience weekly, monthly or yearly outbreaks.
Identification
Cold sores are identified by their features and their location. A cold sore appears as a clear, puffy blister that is full of liquid. This is a painful swollen eruption that is sensitive to the touch and can be broken with minimal forceful contact such as "biting down" on it or scraping with a finger nail. Fever blisters can be recognized by their location as they are facial in nature and primarily occur on the lips or around the mouth.
Misconceptions
Cold sores are commonly mistaken for canker sores. Canker sores are lesions inside the mouth which are non-contagious ulcers caused by trauma or adverse reactions to microorganisms. They are not caused by the Herpes virus. Another misconception about cold sores involves contagion. Cold sores can be "passed" from one person to another through kissing. They can also be contracted through oral sex in which case the Herpes simplex virus 1 becomes the genital form referred to as Herpes Simplex virus 2. Self infection is also possible and occurs when you touch the sore and then touch another part of the face or genitals. The virus can even be contagious when the actual sore has not erupted due to the virus being active in the body.
Risk Factors
The greatest risk factor for the development of cold sores is through skin contact with someone who has the virus. There are many triggers to cause the eruption of cold sores once a person has the virus. These triggers include trauma to mouth or face, being in strong winds or staying in the sun for a long period of time, during a menstrual cycle, having a suppressed immune system or taking steroid medicines. The best way to prevent an eruption is to take good general care of your body, use lip moisturizers with UV protection and follow a nutritious diet.
Effects
Cold sores are painful and slightly disfiguring as they can cause scarring. Treat fever blisters at the first signs of outbreak to help reduce the effects of the virus. Apply ice or an over the counter cold sore medication as soon as you feel a tingling or burning sensation on your lips or other part of your face. You can try a home remedy by applying the gel from break up a piece of Aloe Vera plant to the eruption. Treat the sore carefully and take precautions not to break open the blister. See a physician if your outbreaks are very frequent or if you have many cold sores at the same time.
Tags: cold sores, Cold sores, cold sore, fever blisters, Herpes simplex, Herpes simplex virus