Every year it happens, you wake up to a cold sore. This is an unsightly and sometimes painful reminder of the cold and flu season. But what really causes these painful blisters?

A simple answer---a virus. This virus is called Herpes Simplex Virus. There are two types of this virus; Type I and Type II. Type I is usually the one that causes cold sores. And like all viruses, it is contagious. The contagious period is when the person has the blister-like sore. So once the blister dries up and has a crust, the risk of contamination is lessened.

After the first outbreak of the infection, the virus enters the nerve cells and lies dormant until certain conditions occur like fever (fever blisters), colds, flu, ultraviolet radiation, stress, hormonal changes, trauma to the skin and changes in the immune system. This is the case in colds and flu...your immune system is weakened. For the most part the sores will go away on their own. The first part being in a few days of emerging.

If this is the first time having an outbreak, an oral antiviral medication may be of some relief from the pain and help in the healing time. Recurring cold sores, which tend to break out in the same spot, can also be treated with oral antiviral medication. There are other topical creams and ointments that are available over the counter or if the sore(s) are severe, then stronger ones may need to be prescribed by your doctor. These are to help with the pain, itching and healing time.

If you already have a weakened immune system, higher or daily doses of the medications maybe needed to control the symptoms or prevent new outbreaks.

Even though this is rare, the person, child and adult alike, may need to take antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections from setting in. Another medication that may be prescribed is a prescription strength medicated mouth rinse to ease pain. One of the important things to remember during an outbreak is no matter how painful your mouth is, drink plenty of fluids to prevent the onslaught of dehydration.

There are homeopathic ways to prevent the painful and often embarrassing outbreak of a cold sore or fever blister. Even though these haven't been proven in scientific studies but if you prefer the homeopathic path then here's a few ideas to help relieve some of the pain of an outbreak.

Vitamin C

Lemon Balm, which will also help in relaxing you.

Lysine supplements.

So the reasons that people get cold sores is simple. When the body's immune system is weakened by a cold, flu that causes a fever or the body has a shift in hormones, which in turn allows for the virus Herpes Simplex to take root. But unlike the fact that there is only one reason a person gets a cold sore, a virus, there are many ways to combat the symptoms. Meanwhile, the reason that people get recurring outbreaks and usually in the same location is because the virus goes dormant until the ideal conditions occur again.