Cold Sores
Cold sores are small areas of raised fluid-filled blisters which are often painful.They are frequently found on the lips at the area where the lip adjoins the surrounding skin. These coldsore blisters are often very painful and eventually dry out to form a yellow crust. This crust will eventually heal, typically within a few days.
Although they are commonly found on the lips they will also appear in other places on the face such as inside the nostril or on the outside of the nose. If you have had a cold sore you will know that they can be unpleasant to look at as well as being irritating and painful. Many sufferers endure embarrassment due to the unsightly appearance of the lip sore. The mouth sore is itchy, red and painful and can make the sufferer feel self-conscious in social interactions.
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Many children who have herpes symptoms have a condition known as primary herpetic ginivestomatitis. This will result in an unpleasant fever and painful lip sores and mouth ulcers. About a third of all children who get this herpes outbreak will go on to suffer from cold sores in later life.
But if you don't have this condition in childhood it does not necessarily mean that you will not get cold sores in later life. Government information on herpes tells us that about 80% of the population carry the herpes virus.Of these carriers 20% suffer recurrent herpes cold sores if the virus is reactivated.
Once caught herpes viruses remains dormant until they are triggered again. The herpes simplex virus can be triggered by exposure to the Ultra Violet light from the sun or sunbeds. Other potential triggers include emotional stress, premenstrual tension, surgery, lip tattooing or facial piercings. It is a good idea to check for possible herpes triggers which may include simply feeling stressed or run down.
Some people may find they get herpes sores when they are suffering from a cold, hence the name cold sores. Maintaining your general health will help combat a viral invasion which leads to herpes infections. A good health routine should include eating plenty of fruit and vegetables which will help to nourish the body. Also try to avoid alcohol and stimulants such as coffee and yeast products which tend to run the bodies metabolism down.
Sunlight can be a trigger so use a lip balm containing sun block in bright sunlight in order to prevent coldsores. If you are out and about during windy weather the effects of the wind and cold will negate the effects of the UV filter so, if you are prone to cold sores, it might be worth using an anti-viral cream.
Always wash your hands before touching a coldsores so as not to introduce bacteria and worsen the problem. To avoid contracting eye herpes never wet contact lenses with saliva if you have a cold sore and always wash your hands before touching your lenses. Also try to resist squeezing, pinching or picking the cold sore as this can spread the herpes virus.
Dental appointments should be postponed if you have herpes of the mouth because of the danger of spreading the mouth sores further. If you have herpes lip sores you should refrain from kissing as they are very easily spread. Herpes is contagious so avoid sharing cutlery, toothbrushes, and towels.
Pain caused by cold sores can be lessened by using "Lidocaine" ointment or by taking a paracetamol based painkiller. The usual treatment for herpes is an anti-viral cream such as "aciclovir" which is the treatment most commonly prescribed by doctors.
The herpes treatment needs to commence as soon as you think that you have it. The classic herpes signs are a slight tingling sensation in the area where the coldsore is about to appear. If you delay in obtaining and applying the herpes medication until the sores show themselves you may not see a difference. You should apply the herpes cream five times a day for five days after you first feel a tingle or until the herpes blisters have disappeared.
"Zovirax" is the most popular treatment for a herpes infection but there are other herpes treatments available. Prescription only herpes cures include the drug "Vectavir" which is available as "Cymex" cream, "Abreva" cream and coldsore patches.Other herpes relief treatments include Super Lysine+, liquorice balm, and Bio-Propolis.
For many people, however, cold sores are a persistent problem and despite using a whole variety of over the counter drugs the problem refuses to go away. One such sufferer was Grace Melgarejo. Cold sores had been a recurring problem for Grace and after 7 years of drug therapies, countless visits to the dematologist, she almost gave up hope.
Grace defied every doctor and their expensive solutions, treatments with over-the-counter products, and even the modern drug Abreva. She reached the unhappy conclusion that those solutions do not work and only provide temporary relief from the symptoms. They fail to address the root cause of the problem.
But Grace stumbled a secret technique that permanently cured her previously "incurable" and unpleasant cold sores in 3 days. Amazingly she did this without any prescription drugs or over-the-counter products. She uncovers her secet technique in "Cold Sore Freedom in 3 days" - you can read more about it here.