Know all about Cold Sores

The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 causes cold sores. They usually manifest in the form of groups of painful blisters filled with fluid that appear on the lip.

Cold sores could reappear time and again. Usually their reappearance coincides with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, bleeding gums, cold, or with flu. Such signs may be present for several days.

Conditions that trigger cold sores include:
*stress
*trauma to the skin
*menstrual changes (hormonal)
*changes in the body's immune defense system.
*Exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Sometimes, cold sores reappear even when there is no apparent change of circumstance for the recurrence.

While most other viral infections subside due to the activity of the body's immune defense system, HSV-1 seems to be an exception. Another aspect of the HSV-1 infection is that it is contagious.

In some patients, the appearance of cold sores is preceded by a burning and tingling sensation. This can occur some hours to two days before the cold sores actually appear. Sometimes, a group of cold sore blisters can combine to form one big blister. Cold sores are quite painful. They are diagnosed usually by appearance.

Cold sores do not have any cure nor require medical care in normal circumstances and they heal by themselves in a period ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, usually without scars. However, because of swollen glands, there may be eating and/or drinking difficulty, and the consequent dehydration requires medical care and attention.

Over the counter topical medications are not recommended to be used on cold sores and the use of steroids is to be avoided at all times. If the infection is severe as in a first time attack or because of chemotherapy or in case the eyes are involved, a doctor can prescribe medication to shorten the duration of severity.

In rare cases, HSV-1 may infect the brain and in such cases a patient will manifest confusion and fever. Such patients require hospitalization and intravenous administration of antiviral medications.

You can use self-care at home to relieve pain from cold sores temporarily and prevent the spread of HSV-1 from a patient to a close contact. The first can be done by pressing cold compresses to the cold sores. The second consists in taking precautions to avoid contact or sharing cups and eating utensils with the patient.