Preventing Cold Sores

cold sores occur on the lips, mouth, and face and are usually painful. They last from about two days up to one week or so. Cold sores can be contagious but generally cannot be transmitted through any kind of contact. However, they do tend to come back after the first breakout if the person does not have effective treatment.

Cold sores are caused primarily by the herpes simplex 1 virus. It can produce outbreaks of cold sores when this virus is present in you. Cold sore outbreaks can be caused by exposure to the sun, cold, windy weather, exposure to a weak immune system, changes in hormone levels, illness or stress. A blister forms around the opening of the cold sore, which is filled with fluid and can sometimes remain active for several days.

After the initial breakout, cold sores take about 3 weeks to heal. The blisters will be tender and painless as well as being red. They may not appear larger at the beginning. In addition, they can disappear in just a few days or even just a few weeks. You will have to be extremely careful not to touch them during this period because they could spread. If you do accidentally touch them while they are healing, the pain and tingling will be worse than it was prior to your touching them.

If you can avoid touching them, you should. On days where you are going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time, it is imperative that you apply an effective lip balm or any topical lotion to your lips. This helps to slow down the development of the blisters and keeps them moist, which in turn speeds up the healing process. Applying a lip balm on the blister at least a day or two before stepping out into the sun can help to minimize the duration of the outbreak. It can also help to reduce any inflammation, which is caused when the herpes simplex starts to break out.

If you have already been exposed to the virus to other parts of your body, you need to be aware of the possibility that you can transfer the virus to another part of your body. If you are going to be in close contact with someone who has cold sores, be sure to wash your hands frequently. You should also wear a shower cap or wash your hands often when in close proximity with them. This will help to prevent the spread of the herpes simplex to other parts of your body.

Although they can be an annoyance, the cold sores are not a threat to your health and should not cause too much stress to you. If you think that you have experienced an outbreak, consult your health care provider immediately. There are many treatments available to help alleviate the discomfort of cold sores, and you may prevent future outbreaks by following the advice that your health care provider gives you.