When small blisters first appear on the lips, the initial suspicion is whether they are those dreaded fever blisters. But before we answer that, let’s answer the question “what are cold sores?”

Cold sores are small, red painful blisters or ulcers most commonly seen on the lips and in the mouth and in about 10 per cent of cases, on the nose, chin or cheeks. In rare cases, blisters also surface on the fingers, on the gums and roof of the mouth.

 Herpes Simplex Virus

 This disease is caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two kinds of herpes simplex virus – type 1 and type 2. The type 1 virus usually causes cold sores.

 The virus enters the body and shelters in the root of the nerve cells of the central nervous system. The virus can remain dormant and therefore go undetected for long periods of time.

 When activated, it travels down the nerves to the skin, causing a tingling and burning sensation. It then grows and multiplies in the cells, destroying the host cells in the process. What are visible on the outside are cold sores.

 Why Cold Sores?

 Cold sores are contagious and the infection can be transmitted from one person to another by close skin contact. The virus can also be passed on through infected saliva.

 The stage when a person is most contagious is when they have active blisters filled with fluid. The risk of contagion decreases after a few days as the blisters get dry and crusted. Contrary to popular belief, cold sores cannot be transmitted through towels and infected surfaces.

 The HSV-1 virus is activated by a variety of conditions including stress, sunburn and fever caused by various infectious diseases and by influenza or the common cold. That’s why they are called fever blisters or cold sores.

 Injury to the skin and changes in hormones like menstruation or alterations in the body’s immune system also act as triggers. For instance, cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy have weakened immune systems and can suffer severe attacks of cold sores.

 Stages of the Disease

 When answering the question “what are cold sores?” we need to take a look at the different stages in the life of a cold sore. In the initial or prodrome stage, before it becomes visible, there is a tingling sensation and soreness.

 After a couple of days, blisters filled with fluid appear. These usually occur in groups or clusters. By the fourth or fifth day, the blisters burst and ulcers are formed, causing a great deal of pain.

The ulcers take a few more days to dry out and form scabs, which tend to itch, crack and bleed. The cold sores finally heal and vanish about 10 days after they appear.

 Cold sores usually do not leave scars. However, they may recur at any time, sometimes within a month, sometimes after a year. They are also prone to recur in the same location.

 This is because the herpes simplex virus remains in the nervous system even after recovering from an outbreak.

 How to Treat Cold Sores

 There is no need to see a doctor to treat cold sores, unless the outbreaks are frequent. There are many over the counter drugs available to treat the pain and itching associated with cold sores.

 There is no known cure for the disease but at least you now know the answer to the question “what are cold sores?”

What Are Cold Sores? is a post from: Skincare

Cold sores are clusters of small, red blisters filled with fluid and usually erupt on the lips, mouth and nose. It’s an irritating and painful skin condition, leaving many patients wondering “why do I have cold sores?”

Viral Disease

The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. There are two kinds – Type 1 and Type 2. While the Type1 virus is usually associated with cold sores, the Type 2 virus commonly causes genital herpes.

The herpes simplex virus enters the body through a break in the skin and travels up the nerves till it reaches the root of the nerve cells, called the ganglion.

Some people are infected with herpes simplex virus but do not get cold sores. This is because the herpes simplex virus can remain latent or dormant and hidden for a long time.

Activating the Virus

Different factors can activate the virus causing it to travel down the nerves to the skin, causing a tingling and burning sensation. The virus then begins to replicate in the skin cells, destroying the cells and causing blisters or cold sores.

Cold sores are highly contagious. The infection is spread by touching a cold sore or coming in contact with the infected fluid by kissing and other close skin contact.

Infected saliva is a common means of spreading the virus. Parents often spread the infection to their children in this way.

Highly Contagious

The stage when a person is most contagious is when they have active fluid-filled blisters. However, the virus can be transmitted by a person with or without symptoms. This is because the virus can be shed in saliva in the absence of cold sores.

The herpes simplex virus never completely leaves the body, leading to recurrent attacks of cold sores. This seems to partially answer the question “why do I have cold sores?”

Common Triggers

Fever, influenza, colds, stress, prolonged exposure to sunlight and skin injury can cause cold sores to recur. In some people, the problem may come back within a month, while in others it may take years to recur.

But the condition is less likely to recur after the age of 35.

Cold sores are not a life-threatening disease but it is one that disfigures the area where the blisters erupt. In rare cases, cold sores can also break out on the fingers, gums and roof of the mouth.

Since there is no cure for the disease, it is important to answer the question “why do I have cold sores?” This is because understanding the problem can lead to appropriate treatment.

Why Do I Have Cold Sores? is a post from: Skincare

Cold Sores are a viral disease that cannot be cured. In fact, outbreaks tend to recur. Being able to predict an outbreak can help to ease the blisters when they do erupt. So the question confronting a patient would be “how do I know if I have it?

Before we answer that question, let’s look at the stages of a cold sore.

Cold Sores Cycle

The first is the prodrome stage when the area that the outbreak is about to target begins to tingle. There may also be some soreness or tenderness or even a numbness of the skin.

Some patients also undergo a sense of tiredness just before an outbreak. These are the first hints of a cold sores outbreak.

A few days later, groups of blisters appear in the same area and these blisters are filled with fluid.

Appearance of Ulcers

On the fifth day or so, the blisters erupt, spilling the fluid and leaving ugly ulcers in their place. This can be very painful.

It takes a few more days for the ulcers to dry out and scabs form on the affected skin. These scabs are itchy. Since the fluid has now completely disappeared, the skin is very dry and the scabs crack and may even bleed.

The entire cycle from itchiness of the skin to the scabs falling off can take as many as ten days. The good news is that the attacks decrease in frequency after the age of 35.

Location of Blisters

Another way to identify a blister as a possible cold sore is to watch the location of the blisters.

Cold sores commonly target the vermilion border or the place where the lips and the skin meet. They also target the soft skin of the slips called the mucosa.

In rare cases, these ugly clusters of blisters may also target the gums and the palate or the roof of the mouth. Less commonly, they appear on the cheeks, chin and nose and even on the fingers.

People afflicted by the HIV virus too are prone to cold sores as the immune system is suppressed, allowing the virus a free rein.

Recurring Outbreaks

There’s another way to answer the question “how do I know if I have it?” This is to watch for a recurrence of an outbreak in the very same location. Science is yet to understand why outbreaks recur though there are certain conditions that seem to trigger them.

Recurring outbreaks of rash occur in another condition called fixed drug eruption. This reaction occurs only when the patient is consuming the drug that causes the outbreak and is nothing but an allergic reaction to the medication.

Being able to identify the onset of an outbreak helps to take steps to counteract it and ease the severity of attack. That’s why it is so important to answer the question “how do I know if I have it?”

How Do I Know If I Have Cold Sores ? is a post from: Skincare

Before we answer the question “what triggers cold sores?” let’s first take a look at the cause.

Herpes Virus

What doctors know is that cold sores are caused by Type 1 of the herpes simplex virus. The virus enters the body through a lesion or cut in the skin and then travels up the nerves and embeds itself in the root or ganglion.

The virus then hibernates here, lying dormant till it is triggered. When it is activated or “woken up from hibernation”, it travels down the nerves to the skin.

It usually chooses the lips and the soft tissue around the mouth. In some cases, blisters could erupt on the palate of the mouth and gums, or even on the chin, cheeks and nose. But this is very rare.

Re-Activating the Virus

There are certain conditions which seem to invariably cause cold sores to erupt into ugly and painful blisters. Doctors are still not sure why the virus is reactivated; only that certain conditions do re-awaken it from its hibernating state.

It seems hormonal changes and alterations to the immune system are the most common triggers for a recurrence of the skin disease.

Infection & Fever

One such condition is fever caused by any infection in the body. Hence cold sores are also called fever blisters. They are called “cold sores” because a bout of influenza or the common cold can also set off the virus and lead to an outbreak.

Another answer to the question “what triggers cold sores” is stress. Yes, anxiety and stress are common triggers. Hence, if you work under pressing deadlines or are undergoing a difficult personal phase in your life, you are more prone to a recurring outbreak of cold sores.

Cold sores also seem to recur during the menstrual cycle. This and all the abovementioned factors involve either change in the immune system or to the body’s hormonal balance.

Exposure to UV Light

Overexposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays can also set off an eruption, with painful blisters making a repeat appearance. Hence, if you’ve been outdoors unusually long or have been out at the beach for a while, you are more likely to invite an outbreak.

Finally, trauma or injury to the skin is another trigger. If you’ve got the herpes simplex virus resiging in your nervous system already, then chapped and peeling lips are an open invitation to a recurring attack.

Also, people who have undergone laser or cosmetic surgery are likely victims for a repeat attack. A study of these various conditions should answer the question “what triggers cold sores.”

What Triggers Cold Sores? is a post from: Skincare

Cold sores are a harmless but non-threatening skin disease spread by the herpes simplex virus. But it is highly contagious and spreads very, very easily. Therefore the question every cold sores patient should ask themselves is “what are the risks?”

Erupting Blisters

Cold sores are characterized by the appearance of clusters of blisters, mainly around the lips and mouth. Every eruption or attack undergoes four stages.

It’s the second stage, where the fluid-filled blisters erupt that’s the most contagious stage so that’s when you want to be most careful about spreading it.

Since it’s the fluid in the blisters that carries the virus, patients must avoid oral contact at all costs. Hence, kissing and oral sex are not recommended during an eruption of blisters.

Potent Carriers

Even the skin that flakes off from the site of the blisters, ulcers and lesions may still contain the virus and oral contact should be avoided till the skin has completely healed.

Infected saliva is another way the virus spreads. So cutlery and crockery, tumblers, even razors and towels used by an infected person need to be separated or sterilized thoroughly before they are reused.

Physical Contact

Also, take care not to touch a cold sore and then touch your eyes without thoroughly washing your hands. Your eyes could develop a condition called herpetic keratitis.

If a cold sores patient also has eczema or is in contact with an eczema patient, there is a great risk that the skin affected by the eczema could develop a severe reaction. This is called eczema herpeticum.

When pondering “what are the risks”, there is many other circumstances to consider. There are other complications that could develop due to the presence of the herpes simplex virus in the body. One of them is a rare disease called erythema multiforme.

This is a short and acute bout of inflammation of the skin during each outbreak of cold sores.

Secondary Infections

The herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores also does not mix well when the patient is suffering from infection involving bacteria such as the staphylococcus aureus.

Under such conditions, the best approach it to consult your doctor and get treatment.

So when trying to prevent spreading the disease or complicating it for oneself, the question a cold sores patient must ask is “what are the risks?”

What Are The Risks of Cold Sores? is a post from: Skincare

Cold sores are a viral disease that typically manifests itself with clusters of blisters on the lips and near the mouth area. It is irritating, can be painful and disfiguring during the active phase. But apart from these obvious signs, the question you might want to ask yourself is “how do I confirm the diagnosis?

To understand the tests that can be performed and how the virus is detected, one needs to first understand the way the virus works.

Cold Sores Virus

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus Type 1, which causes sores on the upper half of the body. After the virus enters the body, usually though a cut or lesion on the skin, it travels up the central nervous system and resides in the roots or ganglions of the nerves.

When an attack is triggered, the herpes simplex virus travels down the nerves and to the skin, usually on and around the lips, and multiplies. This causes fluid-filled blisters to form and the disease is now said to be in the active phase.

Now the answer to the question “how to confirm the diagnosis?” lies in various kinds of laboratory tests that can be performed.

Viral Culture

Growing a viral culture is one way to test for the presence of the HSV1. First, the doctor will swab the blister to try and culture it in the laboratory. But this is successful only in the first two days after a breakout.

Also, viral culture takes at least three to four days to grow and by this time, the blisters may have dried. In which case, it could be a case off too much, too late.

Then there’s a sophisticated method by which doctors can determine the presence or absence of the virus’s DNA in a swab taken from the patient.

The test is called PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction. This uses an enzyme called polymerase to replicate short sequences of DNA and then examine them to test for the presence of the genetic material of the virus. It takes only a few hours, it’s accurate but is not easily available.

Blood Serum

The third way to test for the herpes simplex virus Type 1 is to perform a serum test. This requires a blood sample from the patient, which is then analysed for the presence of antibodies that the body creates to counter the virus.

But serum tests only indicate that the body has indeed been exposed to the HSV1. It cannot confirm whether the lesion the doctor is examining is a cold sore.

Microscopic Analysis

Another way to answer the question “how do I confirm the diagnosis?” is to get a microscopic analysis done.

Here, the doctor takes a scraping from the blister or lesion and places it under the microscope. The doctor will be able to identify the virus by simply visually examining the sample and can even distinguish between the herpes simplex virus Type1 and Type2.

This is a convincing way to answer the nagging question “how do I confirm the diagnosis?”

Cold sores – How to Confirm the Diagnosis? is a post from: Skincare

Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters which usually appear on the mouth, lips and nose. They are caused by a virus and are highly contagious. The questions one may ask is why and when to treat cold sores?

Painful Blisters

Also known as fever blisters, cold sores usually heal without treatment after eight to ten days. One reason why a person suffering from this condition may seek treatment is because cold sores look ugly and cause embarrassment, since they appear on the face.

The blisters are also painful and uncomfortable. Timely treatment can help the blisters heal sooner and also make sure they are not as severe or painful as they are if left to subside on their own.

Once you are infected with the herpes simplex virus which causes cold sores, it never leaves your body and causes recurrent outbreaks. Treatment can reduce the number and severity of attacks.

How It Spreads

Cold sores are very contagious and the infection can be passed on to other parts of the body or to other people by touching a cold sore or kissing an infected person. Avoid sharing cups, spoons and other items used by a person with cold sores.

Cold sores are best treated as soon as symptoms first appear.  This could be a tingling, itching or burning sensation, redness or a small blister on the skin. Some people have a prodrome, which means that symptoms such as itching and burning occur before the blisters actually form.

After the blisters form, fluid wells up and in a day or two, they erupt. This is the second stage.

First Stage Is Critical

In the third, they blisters begin to crust and scabs form. After that, the scabs begin to flake off and the skin in the affected area peels. This is the fourth stage in the cycle.

But the question of why and when to treat the condition arises only in the first stage.

Prompt treatment of can prevent the blisters from developing further. This can be in the form of topical medications applied directly on the skin, or oral medication.

Patients who suffer from frequent or severe outbreaks may need to be treated with prescription medicines by a dermatologist.

Prevention Is Best

Certain factors like stress, cold weather, strong sunlight, cold and influenza have been known to trigger cold sores. If you learn to recognize and avoid these triggers, the question of why and when to treat cold sores may not arise at all.

Why and When To Treat Cold Sores is a post from: Skincare

Cold sores are painful, aggravating and cause embarrassment to the patient. They take about 8 to 10 days to heal without treatment. Here are some useful tips to prevent a cold sore from developing.

Detecting an Outbreak

The crucial thing is to detect an outbreak just before it takes place. If the typical cold sore blisters break out, the virus is not responsive and the cycle continues till it runs its course.

Therefore quick, proactive action is the first thing to remember.

There is a wide choice of medical options available to treat cold sores or fever blisters. However, there are certain factors that may trigger an outbreak. 

Prevention Strategies

Avoid touching or kissing or making any sort of contact with a person infected with cold sores, especially when active blisters are present.

The virus is spread through the infected fluid in the blisters, as well as the saliva. Parents can infect their children by kissing and cuddling them.

Do not share items used by a cold sores patient, such as toothbrushes, cups, glasses, cutlery or towels. Sharing of lipsticks and lip balm will almost certainly spread the virus.

Personal hygiene is very important. Wash your hands thoroughly before making contact with anyone if you have a cold sore.

Do not touch other parts of your body, especially your eyes and genitals. This can spread the infection to new sites on your body.

Recognizing Triggers

Certain conditions are known to trigger cold sores, such as fatigue, stress, influenza, and cold weather, exposure to strong sunlight, menstruation and pregnancy.

Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to prevent recurrent attacks.

Use sunscreen on your lips and face before going out in the sun and reapply it during sun exposure to avoid sunburn. Use cold and fever medication when you are unwell. Get a good night’s sleep and avoid stressful situations. 

Healthy Diet

Diet can also help to prevent cold sores. Zinc, iron and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables must be added to your diet.  Processed and salty foods and coffee should be avoided.

Sometimes, even following these tips to prevent a cold sore may not work. If you suffer from recurrent episodes, consult your doctor.

Tips to Prevent a Cold Sore is a post from: Skincare

Oral herpes or cold sores is a painful skin disease of be afflicted with. You must always be on the alert, either to detect an outbreak or to see that you don’t spread the virus. Therefore there are many things you need to do when you have a cold sore.

Worse, there is no cure for oral herpes or fever blisters, as they are also called. This is because once the virus enters the nervous system, it cannot be flushed out with medication, nor does it leave on its own.

Easing Symptoms

Hence, treatment is aimed at easing symptoms and is largely palliative. Cold sores are usually clustered on and around the lips.

But no matter how painful or itchy, never pick at them, never bite your lips or peel away the skin. And never, ever squeeze the blisters as this only increases the risk of infection.

Oral care is critical when you have a cold sore and it’s a good idea to settle into a regular routine. Use mouthwash or a solution of water with dissolved salt to rinse and gargle regularly.

Personal Hygiene

Also, wash the affected areas of skin with mild soap and water and then daub it with a soft towel. You could use a liquid wash or cleanser if you want.

After meals, always wash the sores and dry them so that particles of food don’t fester in them.

The blisters that form due to oral herpes are filled with fluid, not pus. So if there is any pus formation, take immediate action because this means you have a bacterial infection.

When you have a cold sore, you could coat the area with an antibiotic cream. There are many products on the market. If the sore gets worse, immediately consult a doctor.

Foods to Avoid

Certain types of foods aggravate the blisters and must be avoided such as citrus fruit, pickles and tomatoes. Also avoid salted snacks like wafers and peanuts as these are bound to irritate the blisters.

Sometimes, clod sores can be very painful. But there are a variety of painkillers you can take to ease the pain. Careful not to use analgesics too often as this is not good for the body.

Some topical applications can also numb the sensation temporarily and can be used.

When you have a cold sore, fever blisters usually erupt on and around the lips. Keeping the lips moist with a balm or moisturizer is a good idea so that they don’t crack and invite bacteria.

The area affected becomes hypersensitive to sunlight and ultraviolet rays. If you’re skin is particularly sensitive, you must use sun block or sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.

Dos and Don’ts

There are many dos and don’ts you can adopt when you have a cold sore to prevent the infection from spreading to others. Herpes blisters contain a fluid that contains the virus.

Any contact with this fluid spreads the virus immediately. Hence, when you have a cold sore, make sure no one else uses your crockery, cutlery, towels, razor or anything that comes in contact with the fluid in your blisters.

For your own protection, make sure you don’t touch your lips and then your eyes. This could result in a painful condition called ocular herpes, where your eyes become infected.

Do not kiss or cuddle other people, especially children if you have a cold sore blister unless you have washed your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

When You Have a Cold Sore is a post from: Skincare

Cold sores are painful blisters filled with fluid which appear on the lips, nose and mouth. These fever blisters are also contagious, especially during the active stage. And though there is no cure for the condition, there are many medical options that can ease the pain and severity of the disease.

Non-Prescription Medication

There are different categories of products available to treat cold sores. A variety of over the counter medications can alleviate the symptoms which accompany an outbreak of cold sores.

These are non-prescription drugs or topical application that you can purchase off the shelf.

Topical medications include creams and ointments which are applied directly to the skin. Those which are effective for cold sores contain ingredients such as lidocaine and benzocaine to relieve the burning and itching but the effects are shortlived.

Recurrent Outbreaks

Lip balms which contain sunscreen can help prevent recurrent attacks. This is because too much exposure to sun activates the virus in the body.

Moisturizers containing petrolatum and allantoin help to soften the scabs on cold sores so that they don’t crack and bleed.

Patients may also use analgesics or pain-relievers containing Ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the pain.

Most of these medications, however, only alleviate the symptoms while the sores run their eight to ten day cycle. But some patients report that docosanol cream, applied five times a day, does speed up the healing process.

There are some topical ointments prescribed by doctors for cold sores, such as acyclovir and penciclovir.  These decrease the pain and healing time. The disadvantage of topical treatment is that ointments are unable to penetrate to the site of the virus and are therefore less effective.

Countering the Virus

Medical options also include certain oral medications such as acyclovir and valacyclovir that can be prescribed by doctors to keep the herpes simplex virus in check.

These are effective in decreasing the time taken to heal, especially when treatment is started in the early stages.

A few side effects such as nausea and diarrhea have been reported but these drugs are usually well tolerated by patients.

The first attack of HSV infection is generally the most severe and should be treated with oral medication. Recurrent outbreaks can be treated by topical ointments and creams. 

Some people suffer from recurrent outbreaks several times a year.  In these cases, suppression therapy is being researched.

This involves daily treatment with drugs like acyclovir and famciclovir to reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Anti-Viral Drugs

Products containing zinc, lysine and phenol are said to have antiviral properties which limit the ability of the herpes virus to form cold sores.

Antibacterial agents have no effect on the herpes virus but can hasten healing by preventing a secondary bacterial infection.

Other types of treatment and medical options for cold sores include a variety of home remedies. Ice packs applied on the affected area numb the sores and reduce pain and itching, and hamper the growth of the sore if used in the initial stages.

Tannic acid which is present in tea is said to have antiviral properties. Hence a warm tea bag placed on the blisters for half an hour, again in the early stages, can prevent lesions from developing.

Herbal remedies like tea tree oil, witch hazel and sage are said to provide relief. Lemon balm extract and aloe vera gel may also help. But home remedies may need to complement other medical options.

Medical Options to Treat Cold Sores is a post from: Skincare