For many people, a cold sore can be a minor annoyance. But for others, the painful blister can pose a social or work-related challenge—especially when it's contagious.
This blog will examine what causes cold sores when they are contagious, how to treat them, prevention methods, and some interesting facts.
What are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are infections around the border of the lips that spread through close personal contacts, such as kissing and sharing cosmetics for use on the face or lips. They could be asymptomatic at the start.
Cold sores may show up later with symptoms of tingling, itching, or burning around the mouth. The patient may have swollen gums, a fever, and pain while swallowing.
Cold sores are a widespread disease that affects more than half of the people in the United States. About 60% of the infected remain asymptomatic. It takes about 20 days for a cold sore to appear in the case of a herpes simplex virus infection. When the sores break out, they will stick around for almost two weeks before crusting over.
Stages of Cold Sore
Cold sores tend to progress in stages.
1. It starts with a tingling, burning, or pinching feeling.
2. After 24 hours, blisters form, and the area becomes swollen and painful.
3. When the blisters break, fluid pours out and may last two or three days.
4. A sore might bleed sometimes.
5. The shallow opening will form after sores break open and will be red.
6. A crust will form in the affected area as it starts healing.
Some of the triggers of cold sores are allergies, sunburn, fever, and stress.
Signs and Symptoms
Most people who develop cold sores learn to live with them and manage their outbreaks. In healthy people, cold sores reduce within two weeks, and they don't have any difficulty. In young babies, cold sores can cause life-threatening infections.
People feel itching or burning around the lips for a day or two before a small, painful spot appears and blisters erupt. Small fluid-filled blisters typically erupt along the border of your lips. Some people appear around the nose, on the cheeks, or inside the mouth.
Cold Sore Complications
Complications from a cold sore are rare but can occur if the virus spreads to another part of your body. Cold sores on the area around the fingers are called herpes whitlow, and those around the genitals are called warts or ulcers. If the infection occurs on the skin, it is commonly known as eczema herpeticum, where a painful rash covers large areas of the skin. Infection can also cause blindness as it affects the cornea. It is also responsible for the dangerous inflammation of the brain known as meningitis.
How can you Prevent Cold Sores?
You have a higher risk of developing complications from cold sores if you get them more than nine times a year. A doctor may recommend an antiviral medication for you to take regularly.
For example, if sunlight is the triggering factor, apply sunscreen lotions where the cold sores tend to erupt. Be sure to talk to your doctor about taking an oral antiviral drug as a preventive step.
To avoid herpes simplex virus-1 infection, avoid kissing and intimate contact with someone who has a cold sore, as well as using other people's towels, dishes, straws, lip balm, or lipstick. You should wash your hands before touching your lips and eyes.
If you’ve already come into contact with the herpes simplex virus type 1, do these to reduce the risk of an outbreak:
Make sure to eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly to boost your immune system, and sleep adequately. Sleep deprivation can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to other illnesses. Use a lip balm with SPF for protection from sunburn and cracking. Avoid kissing or sharing items with others, and wash your hands frequently.
Preventive Measures
You can help prevent the reactivation of the cold-sore virus by learning your triggers and taking steps to avoid them. Aside from the previously mentioned prevention methods, try yo manage your stress through meditation and journaling.
When to see a doctor?
Sores generally clear up without treatment. However, you should consider visiting your doctor if you have any of the following
- If you have a weakened immune system.
- If they do not heal within two weeks or when symptoms get severe.
- You are frequently developing cold sores.
- You have irritation in your eyes.
- You are not sure if it’s a cold sore.
- Unable to eat or drink adequately.
Home remedies.
There are several natural remedies for cold sores. Applying ice packs or cold-water-soaked cloths to sores can help reduce pain and swelling. Lemon extract is also considered effective against sores. A smear of lip balm containing lemon extract three times a day could curtail the ill effects of sores. Aloe vera, the soothing gel, has also been proven to relieve cold sores. Try applying aloe vera gel or lip balm containing aloe vera three times a day to help your cold sore heal faster.
Gel-like materials won’t necessarily heal a cold sore but may ease discomfort. The jelly helps prevent cracking. It protects by forming a barrier against external irritants. Always apply creams or gels to cold sores using a clean cotton swab or cotton ball.
Conclusion
Cold sores have slowly become part of our lives, and most people who develop them learn to live with them and learn how to manage these situations. It is like any other condition caused by viruses in the body. It usually clears up in one or two weeks in healthy people, and the chances of it progressing to a life-threatening condition are rare, except in newborns and immunocompromised people. The saying "prevention is better than cure" stands true for this infection. A disciplined way of life, healthy diets, and clean habits can prevent or lower the risk of infection. Remember, nothing can replace the timely advice of a healthcare professional who has no alternative to guiding you to good health.