Cold sore is one of the common diseases which is caused by a virus known as herpes simplex virus HSV-1. They are also called fever blisters and most of the time they create severe types of pain to the affected person. Cold sores are basically tiny blisters that are filled with fluid and most of the cases they appear on or around the lips. This is very important to understand that unfortunately there is no cure invented at this time for this virus. You can deal with it by following expert guidelines. Luckily there are some effective treatment options available for you that can help to tackle this disease in an efficient way. If you are dealing with this situation, this comprehensive article is only for you. Here we will deeply discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment options of cold sore. Let’s get started.
Understanding Cold Sores
Causes of Cold Sore
As we have discussed in our introductory paragraph that cold sore is produced due to the HSV-1 virus. It transmits in your body when you have contact with the virus. After transmission this virus remains in your body and lives and grows in the nerve cells. Now the question is when and how cold sore produces. Actually this herpes simplex virus has the capability to reactivate again. When this happens cold sores come into existence. Here we are going to talk about some of the common but important causes of cold sores. Let’s have a look.
Stress
There are two types of stress: emotional and physical and both of these types are the reasons for creating cold sore. Due to the stress the immune system of the body becomes weak. This loose defense system of the body makes it easier to reactivate this virus.
Sickness
Medical research shows that some common diseases like cold and flu can also become the reason for reactivation of HSV-1 virus.
Sun Exposure
Ultraviolet rays that come from the Sun are also one of the reasons for cold sores. It is because you can be affected by these sun rays. UV rays can damage your skin which increases the chances of cold sore.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can also increase the risk of cold sore in most of the cases. Medical research shows that during menstruation hormones fluctuate that can be the result of cold sores.
Injury to the Skin
Be careful of the possible injury to the skin. If there is some injury on the lips or its surrounding area then there are chances to reactivate this cold sore virus.
Symptoms of Cold Sores
For better diagnosis and effective treatment it is really important to know what the symptoms of that particular disease are. Same is the case here. Here in this part of the article we are going to talk about some of the common and general symptoms that you can observe in case of cold sore.
Burning and Itching
This is one of the common signs of cold sore where you feel the sensation of burning and itching, especially at that area which is around your lips or mouth.
Blistering
If you find tiny fluid filled blisters then you must go to your doctor for professional guidance. Remember mostly these blisters appear in clusters.
Weeping and Discharging
Another symptom in case of cold sore is weeping and discharging. The blisters then rapture releasing fluid.
Crusting
After the sores dried out, they made a scab or crust.
Healing
At the end the skin starts healing after the elimination of the scabs.
It is important to remember that the whole process actually continues for about 7 to 10 days.
Effective Cold Sore Treatment Solutions
Now let’s come towards the important part of the article that is about effective treatment in case of cold sores. There are several ways and means of cold sore treatment. Let’s talk about them.
Antiviral Medicine
The important method to treat cold sore is the antiviral medicine. The use of these medicines helps to reduce pain and duration of this viral infection. Some of the common and helpful antiviral medicines are as follows.
Acyclovir
Acyclovir medicine is available in two forms, oral and topical. You can take it as a pill in case of oral Acyclovir. While on the other hand topical Acyclovir can be applied directly on the area of cold sores.
Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir is another valuable antiviral medicine to give you comfort from a cold sore. Now the question is what is the time period of medicine to be taken? You can use this medicine as long as you feel the sensation of burning or itching.
Famciclovir
If you are fond of taking medicine as a pill then this medicine is suitable for you. Just use it after consultation with your professional Healthcare provider for obtaining maximum results.
Non Prescribed Medicines and Treatments
Over the counter medicine commonly known as OTC are those medicines which you can use without prescription from the healthcare provider. You can treat cold sore with the help of OTC medicines. Some useful medicines are as follows.
Docosanol
Docosanol is actually a cream type antiviral medicine. You can apply this topical cream to the area of the cold sore. After applying this cream on the affected area you will definitely feel a lot of comfort from pain. It will not only reduce symptoms but also helps to heal cold sore in a short period of time.
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl Alcohol is available in gel form. When you apply this cream on the affected area it gives you quick relief from pain and reduces symptoms by creating a protective barrier on the sores.
Lidocaine and Benzocaine
Lidocaine and Benzocaine are actually nipping agents that mean they are very low or below the average temperature. With the use of these over the counter medicine you can get some sort of relief from pain and anxiety.
Home Remedies
While you can go for medication for treating and managing cold sores but with use of home remedies you can also get maximum relief and order to reduce symptoms of cold sore. Some of the home remedies are as follows that will surely give you a lot of benefit in this whole scenario.
Ice Packs
It is found that the use of ice packs to the affected area helps to reduce swelling and give you comfort from the pain. Do you know how to use ice packs? It is important to enfold the ice pack in a thin cloth for avoiding direct contact with your skin. Just apply this ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is another useful home remedy that will give you instant relief from pain in case of cold sore. Due to its natural anti-inflammatory and antiviral qualities it is considered a natural remedy to reduce symptoms of cold sore. Now the question is how you can use aloe vera. Just take an aloe vera gel and apply it on the area of cold sore. It will not only give you relief from pain but also help to heal cold sores.
Lemon Balm
If you want to speed up the process of healing from a cold sore then lemon balm is an effective natural remedy. You can use either lemon balm cream or its extracts to the effective area of the cold sore. It will help to reduce symptoms and give you faster relief from cold sores.
Honey
Honey is the best natural remedy due to its antibacterial and healing characteristics. If you are feeling inflammation due to the cold sores, apply a small amount of honey to the affected area. Honey has the characteristics to reduce inflammation and prevent you from other infections.
Tea Tree Oil
Just take tea tree oil and mix it with coconut oil. After mixing the oil apply on the affected area of the cold sore. You can use cotton sponge for applying. There is some care that you have to consider when using tea tree oil. Dilute tea tree oil properly because it can be strong and may result in irritation.
Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
It is important to focus on prevention rather than treating disease. With the help of modification in lifestyle and dietary changes you can also get maximum results in case of cold sores. Here in the following there are some tips for you in this whole scenario. Let’s have a look.
Boost Your Immune System
The immune system of your body acts as a defense system. Strong immune system means strong defense against any kind of disease. So it is really important to boost your immune system especially here in case of cold sores. A strong immune system keeps a close eye on the herpes virus and prevents you from its possible attack resulting from cold sores. Now there is an important question at the moment: how can you boost your immune system? The answer is really simple. Just make sure that you are eating a balanced diet full of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. There are some foods which can be helpful in case of cold sore especially those containing vitamin C, zinc and lysine.
✓Vitamin C is richly found in citrus fruits such as strawberries and bell peppers.
✓Try to consume foods which are rich in zinc such as legumes, meat and shellfish.
✓ You can also consume dairy products, fish and meat because in these foods lysine is available in abundance.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
As we have discussed so many times in our previous article, how hydration is important for you not only to address that particular disease but also for your overall health. So try to keep yourself hydrated. For this purpose drink plenty of water to support your immune system on a regular basis.
Manage Stress
Stress is not only one of the core factors in case of cold sores but also it is not good for your overall health. There are a lot of effective techniques that are helpful in order to manage and reduce stress. Most common and helpful stress management techniques are meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises.
Try to Avoid Contributing Factors
It is really important to know your contributing factors in case of cold sore. Avoid these factors as much as you can. It will help you to reduce the symptoms to a greater extent. A common example is the sun exposure. If you are sensitive to sunlight then make sure that you use lip balm or wear a hat for preventing your lips.
Cold Sore Prevention
It is crucial to adopt preventive measures in order to make sure that you become safe from the possible attack of herpes simplex virus. For this purpose here are some important tips for you. Let’s have a look.
Avoid Sharing Personal Items
It is very important to avoid sharing your personal used items such as lip balm, utensils or towels. Why is it important? This is because with the sharing of your personal things, the chances of this cold sore virus increase.
Practice Good Hygiene
Make sure to maintain a good habit. For example, washing your hands on a regular basis is a good practice. But it is important to avoid touching your face while washing your hands, especially your lips.
Protect Your Lips
In case of cold sore, it is important to protect your lips. You can do a lot of things, for example the use of lip balm is helpful in preventing your lips from the sun rays.
Reduce Stress
Try to reduce stress as much as you can. It is better to involve yourself in those activities which are related to relaxation, for example mindfulness hobbies.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only crucial in this case but also very important for your complete health. Make sure that you eat a balanced diet, and go to exercise on a regular basis. Enough sleep and rest is also very important for your strong immune system.
When to Visit A Doctor?
Medical research shows that most of the cold sores are effectively treated with use of over the counter or non-prescribe medicines and with use of home remedies. But there are certain cases where you have to go to your doctor for a complete examination. Some of the conditions in this case are as follows.
Severe Symptoms
If any person suffering from a cold sore experiences severe pain and extreme soreness, then this situation actually demands professional healthcare guidance. If the cold sore does not heal within 1 to 2 weeks then you must consult your professional doctor.
Repeated Outbreaks
In case of repeated outbreaks of cold sore just go to your doctor and ask him for prescribed antiviral medicine in order to lower the frequency of the outbreak.
Weak Immune System
Sometimes the immune system of the body becomes weak due to the use of medicine or treatment. In this case a professional doctor can give you an effective treatment for boosting your immune system against herpes simplex virus.
Conclusion
Cold sore although can be painful but they are pretty much treatable. With the right treatment options and adopting preventive measures you can deal with it to a greater extent. Medical research shows that the use of non-prescribed or over the counter treatment options helps to reduce symptoms and speeds up the process of feeling as well. Besides that, you can also go for home remedies as well. Try to make sure that you are practicing good hygiene. By modifying your lifestyle you can boost up your immune system which helps to reduce the chances of outbreaks of herpes simplex virus.
It is better to use a preventive approach in order to stop the outbreak of this virus. Try to avoid those factors that increase the chances of cold sores. BY Implementing these strategies as we have deeply discussed in the entire article you can live a better life full of confidence.