Cold Sore
Herpes simplex virus is the primary cause of cold sores. This disease is contagious. It is usually contacted during childhood. The virus hides in the nerve ganglia near where the fever blister usually appears. The virus can remain passive for months or years until they are triggered.
Your immune system keep the virus in check. However, when the immune system is compromised due to stress, fever, or fatigue, you'll experience the tingling sensation which signifies the onset of the outbreak.
At this point, the virus has travelled along your nerve fibers to the skin surface. The common cold sore symptoms are tingling, itching, perhaps burning or drying sensations. The symptoms may last for several hours to a few days. Then the affected area will be inflamed and swollen, indicating the peak which the virus is replicating.
Usually the sore is painful. The clusters of small blisters will combine into one one large open, weeping sore. This is the most painful and most contagious stage. But when it advances to the next stage, the blister will begin to crust over and heal. At this stage it is painful because any movement tends to crack the scab.
The formation of the scab shows the healing is underway. The virus is retreating, but you will still experience itching, some pain and irritation. Once the scab is gone, usually redness remains for another 2 to 14 days. After that, it will not be contagious.
The common cold sore treatment includes creams and lotions that can relieve the pain and reduce secondary infections. Unfortunately, the medical community has not found any cure yet..
Preventative measures seem more successful than curative in minimizing the number and severity of infections. Learn to recognize the situations that usually lead to you developing a cold sore and prevent them from occurring. Also recognize the first signs of the onset of a cold sore and apply immediate treatment.