Click Here To Learn How To Get Rid of Cold Sores Permanently

Cold sores are painful, red blisters that mainly appear in the lip and mouth. They are primarily external manifestations of the oral herpes virus, also known medically as herpes labialis.

What Causes Fever Blisters?

Cold sores or fever blisters found in the mouth are usually caused by the first type of the herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 for short. The HSV-1 is responsible for the spread of oral herpes through direct contact with fluids from an infected person or indirect contact through personal items such as toothbrush, towel and makeup. Though there are many other symptoms of oral herpes, fever blisters are the main indication of the contraction of the virus.

What is a Cold Sore Like?

What does a cold sore look like? A cold sore looks unpleasant and unsightly, that is for sure. Oral herpes sufferers end up wanting to hide their faces for a week or two during cold sore outbreaks. They can look slightly different depending on the stage of a cold sore. There are eight particular stages of cold sores:

Stages of Cold Sores

• Prodome Stage : Area feels warm and painful and tingling may be felt, slight redness on the area may be observed

• Macule Stage: Area becomes visibly red and this reaction appears as a response to the virus

• Papule Stage : Small red bumps start to form, and this is usually accompanied by throbbing and burning pain

• Vesicle Stage: Colorless blisters filled with fluid start to develop

• Pustule Stage: The clear liquid inside the blisters turns yellowish and pus starts to develop

• Crusting Stage: A yellowish crust develops around the affected area

• Scab Stage: The area turns reddish and dry, often with constant itching

• Healing Stage: Pain disappears and the scab falls off, cold sores finally disappear

The entire process usually takes about a week or two to complete. There are, of course, cold sore cures that have been suggested to accelerate the healing of cold sores. These treatment options vary from natural cures to home remedies and from over-the-counter to prescription medications. Cold sore medication, however, are usually mainly palliative, which means that they can alleviate cold sore symptoms but cannot act on killing the herpes virus itself.

Cold Sore and Canker Sore

Cold sores are different from canker sores. Both affect the mouth and tend to be painful and disturbing. But canker sores only affect the inside areas of the mouth, appear white and are not contagious.

Is It A Cold Sore or Pimple?

Cold sores should not be mistaken as pimples. Unlike pimples, cold sores affect a larger area, appear as fluid-filled blisters (which are usually clustered), and they are contagious. Pain caused by cold sores occurs and is felt on the skin surface, while pain caused by pimples is usually felt deeper.

Info about Cold Sore: What to Do For Fever Blisters

Fever blisters typically go away within a week or two even without medicinal intervention. You can choose to wait it out until it heals, or you can use some of the various treatment options for treating cold sores.

You can try cold sore home remedies such as applying ice, tea bags, moisturizers and lip balms, or using natural herbs such as sage and aloe vera.

You can also use pain-relievers and topical ointments to minimize pain and discomfort, as well as antiviral drugs to prevent further infections