Guide to Cold Sores - No one wants a cold sore: besides being uncomfortable, they are not part of the face you want to see staring back at you in the mirror. There are a lot of misconceptions and embarrassment that can accompany a cold sore, so this guide will take a look at what cold sores are, what causes them, and most importantly, how to treat them. What is a Cold Sore? - Cold sores are clusters of blisters that appear on the mouth or on the inside of the mouth. If you have a cold sore, you will notice that it is red, swollen, and as the name would imply, sore. Like blisters anywhere else on the body, these are filled with fluid, which may leak and drain themselves. After that, a scab will form, and it will eventually heal and disappear. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Not a fun few weeks, but after the abscess drains, it should be painless. A common question is what causes cold sores, and this is where the misconceptions and embarrassments come in. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). When people hear this, they automatically think of a sexually transmitted disease. Indeed, HSV causes both mouth and genital herpes. Cold sores are typically caused by type 1 HSV, while genital herpes are most often caused by type 2 HSV. Doctors do not usually classify cold sores as an STD, while genital herpes usually is.
You can get HSV through close skin-to-skin contact with someone with an open sore or directly before or after they have had a sore. This can happen by kissing someone with a cold sore, especially when they have an active blister. HSV can also be contracted with close contact to the sore or even to the skin around the sore. It may be passed during oral sex as well. But, despite the misconceptions, you do not have to be sexually active to contract the virus. In fact, it is not uncommon for parents to spread it to their children by sharing eating utensils or straws. HSV is most often contracted during infancy or childhood, which takes away (or should) the stigma of being associated with STDs. Sharing razors, drinking cups, and other means by which you may be exposed to another person's saliva are also potential methods of contracting HSV. It is very unlikely that you would contract HSV via a washcloth, towel, or piece of clothing. HSV is especially virulent, with as many as half a million people contracting it each year. When a person becomes infected, the virus lies dormant for some time. It is there, but you won't have any symptoms. You may then experience outbreaks in which you have active cold sores. It is still possible to pass it to another person in the latent stage, though it is not as common as when someone has an active sore. How is HSV allowed to live in the body? Shouldn't our immune systems kick it out? Normally, yes. This is how cold viruses are fought off. But because HSV lies dormant, sometimes for years, it is able to, in essence, hide from your immune system. What Are the Symptoms of Cold Sores? - You may not notice anything for quite some time after you are initially infected. Before a cold sore pops up, you may notice a tingling or burning feeling. Within the next few hours or days, a fluid-filled blister or blisters will form. Someone experiencing their first, or primary, attack may have a fever, swollen glands, and/or bleeding gums. Most people do not require medical attention, but if you find it difficult to eat or drink, talk with your doctor.
What Can You Do to Treat Cold Sores?:
If you have frequent outbreaks, your doctor may prescribe a medication that is aimed at reducing the frequency of attacks. There is no cure for HSV and it will be a lifelong addition to your body. That's not as dire as it sounds because while cold sores obviously aren't a welcome occurrence, they most often do not present any medical issues. Some people won't even experience many, if any, outbreaks at all. If you do, however, there are various treatments you can try.
Abreva is one of the most well known cold sore remedies. Abreva is the only over-the-counter cold sore treatment that is approved for use by the FDA. It is recommended most by pharmacists and is generally well reviewed by consumers. Abreva is a white cream that dries clear and is conveniently packaged so you can use it on the run if you need to. The cold sore treatment is designed to lessen the duration of your symptoms, as well as decrease your healing time. The active ingredient is Docosanol; this is not an antiviral. Instead, it works on healthy cell membranes to keep the virus from fusing with the cell. The virus will be less likely to invade and become active. Abreva is meant to be used when you feel those first tingles of an outbreak; it is less effective on a full-blown blister, which is why many consumers say it doesn't work for them. The price is also cited as a downfall. A 0.7-ounce tube costs $18, though you can save money and pay about $12 on Amazon. Will it work for you? Hopefully! But there is no way to guarantee how any one individual's body will react. But as one Amazon reviewer said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and the hefty price may be worth it to you.
Viroxyn Cold Sore Treatment is another good option and is recommended by Dentist.net. Viroxyn's active ingredients are Benzalkonium Chloride (0.13%) Benzocaine (5%). It also contains isopropyl alcohol and water. Unlike Abreva, Viroxyn is designed to provide quick relief from pain, itching, and burning. It has also been shown to shorten the healing time. Also expensive, you can find Viroxyn for $43 for 3 0.6ml vials.
Other OTC remedies include: Herpacin-L lip balm, Zilactin cold sore gel or liquid, Super Lystine, Cold Sore XM, H-Balm, Lipreve, and Viradent. You can browse the best selling cold sore remedies online here. The best way to choose is to ask your doctor for a recommendation that is within your budget. Another good way to treat cold sores is to prevent cold sores from occurring. While you can't prevent an outbreak all the time, you can avoid common triggers (stress, exposure to UV light, exposure to very cold weather, and fatigue). You can also opt for home remedies to relieve discomfort if not totally get rid of cold sores. You can apply ice, witch hazel, aloe, or a tea bag to the affected area, soak a cotton ball in milk and apply it to sores or areas before they break out, cover it with petroleum jelly, avoid acidic and salty foods, get your vitamins, change your toothbrush after an outbreak, and put on lip balm with sunscreen. HSV will be a lifelong companion, so it is important to learn effective, and cheap, ways to deal with it so it doesn't have to be a loud, obnoxious companion.
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is one of the most well known cold sore remedies. Abreva is the only over-the-counter cold sore treatment that is approved for use by the FDA. It is recommended most by pharmacists and is generally well reviewed by consumers. Abreva is a white cream that dries clear and is conveniently packaged so you can use it on the run if you need to. The cold sore treatment is designed to lessen the duration of your symptoms, as well as decrease your healing time. The active ingredient is Docosanol; this is not an antiviral. Instead, it works on healthy cell membranes to keep the virus from fusing with the cell. The virus will be less likely to invade and become active. Abreva is meant to be used when you feel those first tingles of an outbreak; it is less effective on a full-blown blister, which is why many consumers say it doesn't work for them. The price is also cited as a downfall. A 0.7-ounce tube costs $18, though you can save money and pay about $12 on Amazon. Will it work for you? Hopefully! But there is no way to guarantee how any one individual's body will react. But as one Amazon reviewer said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and the hefty price may be worth it to you.