Cold sores are infections in the skin caused by Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV. Eight out of 10 people are affected by this common skin infliction. Many can be infected with this without knowing it is happening. The herpes virus can be transmitted by saliva or direct contact with a person that is affected by this virus.
When someone is infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus, he might not feel the symptoms of this immediately. It typically takes four to five days before the symptoms occur. You may not even notice its effects even if it is already attacking you. After four or five days, you will have swollen glands and you will feel down. You will then have blisters on or around your mouth. This will cause pain and itchiness, but will usually only last for up to a week.
There are some activities that make cold sores worse. Continuous exposure to direct sunlight will almost always make the outbreak worse. They can also worsen if you are exposed to cold or windy conditions. Being stressed and suffering from the flu, fever or colds can also worsen the condition. More negative effects can also occur if you drink alcoholic beverages.
Despite the many things that can worsen cold sores, if you follow this simple advise; they will get better:
Do not lick or poke the area that is affectedDo not let it get wetApply alcohol around the affected areaApply ice therapy to the areaDo not eat foods that are acidic such as lemons or grapesDo not let it get exposed to sun or windBuy over-the-counter remedies that are recommended by the doctors.The following information will help you diagnose cold sores:
If you have blisters around the mouth area, observe the people that commonly are in contact with you. If one of them has developed cold sores after a few days, chances are, they already acquired the virus from you.Go to a doctor and give him the information that is needed to diagnose if you have cold sores. He might ask you what you are feeling and if you have friends who are also suffering from these blisters.
The Herpes Simplex Virus is the cause of cold sores. The virus will spread through sneezing, coughing, kissing and other direct contact to people that are affected by the virus. You can also get this when you hold things that the person affected with this virus has recently touched.
Cold sores can really be annoying, especially cold sores on the mouth and around the mouth area because it is very visible by people around you. If you don't want this to happen to you, you should always protect yourself from people that have cold sores.
Julie Carlson is a freelance writer who focuses on health-related topics. As a main contributor to http://thehealth411.com/, Carlson presents health information in an unbiased format. Visit theHealth411 for a wide base of information, from gout remedies to migraine headaches.
