Click Here To Learn How To Get Rid of Fever Blisters Permanently

People usually ignore the causes of fever blisters until they themselves get them or someone they know or love suffers from them. What causes them, anyway? Fever blisters and cold sores in the lips and mouth are indicative of oral herpes infection. It is a common occurrence as up to 25% of adults go through this troublesome condition, which can reoccur at any time, every now and then.

What Causes Cold Sores?

Fever blisters and cold sores are primarily caused by the herpes simplex virus, specifically the first type, HSV-1. Contracting the virus usually occurs right after a fever or illness, body stress and other instances that result to reduced immunity.

Though cold sores are definitive of oral herpes (herpes labialis), the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which causes genital herpes infections are also known to infect the mouth and face and cause instances of cold sores.

Herpes infections usually occur when someone gets exposed to the virus by direct contact with fluids that contain the herpes simplex virus from an infected person. Contacts which involve kissing, sharing of utensils, cups and towels, and not washing and disinfecting the hands after touching the fever blisters usually lead to the transmittance of the HSV to another person and cause the same infection. Also, oral-genital sexual contact through oral sex with an infected person can also result in cold sores.

Once one gets infected, the virus tends to stay and live within the nerve cells in the skin. They lay dormant in the nerve endings until it gets triggered and resurfaces to cause another cold sore outbreak. There is a wide range of factors that cause the virus to get triggered.

What Activates The Virus?

The reason behind the dormancy and the sudden awakening of the virus from time to time has not been really understood scientifically. In most people however, there are definite factors which trigger the virus which includes the following:

- Exposure to bright sunlight

- Strong wind

- Changes or damage to the skin

- Emotional stress

- Physical stress such as overexertion or having another illness

- Major dental process such as having a tooth extracted

- Menstruation and hormonal imbalance

What Foods Cause Cold Sore

Intakes of too acidic and salty foods have been seen to trigger cold sores, so that it is best to avoid them as much as possible. Foods rich in arginine are also highly discouraged as arginine is the primary amino acid through which virus survives. Foods and drinks rich in arginine include peanuts, chocolate, coffee, popcorn, red wine, beer, and so on.

Other Causes of Fever Blisters

Most fever blisters are caused by the HSV, but cold sores may also be caused by other factors such as nutrient deficiencies (B complex, iron, or folic acid deficiencies), high-arginine food diet, reduced immunity to the herpes virus, hormonal imbalance, gluten sensitivity, diet high in acid and emotional stress. Though instances can be induced by these factors, the herpes simplex virus is still by far, the primary and most widespread cause of fever blisters.