Are you looking for treatment for cold sores? There is no specific cure, but there are a number of medications available which can help reduce their size and pain. If they are left untreated, they can develop into painful blisters that could also result in skin loss. If they are handled quickly and early, they can be easily prevented.
Cold sores (or fever blisters as they are sometimes called) are tiny red blisters that normally form on the lip, chin and around the outside of the mouth. They are frequently caused by infection with the common cold sore virus ( HSV). Generally, people are infected during childhood or early adulthood, and it usually persists for the rest of their lives. The virus spreads through contact with an open sore, so people who share personal care items such as toothbrushes, razors and other personal items, as well as showers and swimming pools are particularly prone to contracting the virus. When the blisters are filled with pus, the herpes virus can spread from person to person.
One of the most common symptoms of cold sores is tingling or burning sensation in the area where the outbreak is located. Some people also experience pain in the area. However, some people never experience any symptoms at all, while others get up to four or more outbreaks per week. If you have had these symptoms for more than two weeks, you should seek medical advice.
The virus spreads because the herpes virus plays a part in the transmission of the bacteria from the skin to the blood stream. Therefore, if there is an ongoing attack on your immune system, the outbreaks will also occur. During an active outbreak, your body is producing antibodies against your own cells and it tries to fight off the infection. In response to this fight-or-flight reaction, your body releases histamines, causing an intense itching sensation along with painful red blisters.
People usually associate warm water with instant relief from tingling and blistering. In reality, however, this is not the best way to treat sores. Cold sore treatments that depend on hot compresses will only provide temporary relief from symptoms. Even if the blisters disappear, the virus is still present. As soon as you shower or bathe, you will again begin to feel the burn or tingle sensations.
Cold sore treatment depends on the type of sores, their location on your body, the length of time you have had them and your overall health. Although the fever blisters are easier to treat, canker sores require long term treatment because their location makes them more difficult to heal. If you keep them covered with bandages and keep the area clean and dry, they will heal in three to nine months. If you attempt to remove the bandages and keep the sore area moist, healing time will be much longer.
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