Cold Sore Health Information

Top : Conditions and Diseases : Cold Sore



Cold sores usually appear on your lips. Occasionally, they occur on your nostrils, chin or fingers. A cold sore is a small blister that is reddish or purple. They are usually on the outer edge of the lip, on just one side. Cold sores can appear one at a time or in little bunches, and they are sometimes filled with fluid. Cold sores usually last 1 to 2 weeks before they will go away on their own.

Causes of Cold Sore:

Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes. Herpes is one of the most common viral infections in the world. The medical name for the specific virus that causes cold sores is herpes simplex. There are two types of herpes simplex - herpes simplex virus one (called HSV-1 for short) and herpes simplex virus two (called HSV-2 for short). Kids who get infected with HSV-1 may get cold sores occasionally for the rest of their lives That's because even after the sores themselves dry up and go away, the virus stays in the body, waiting around for another time to come out and cause more sores.

Symptoms of Cold Sore:

Signs and symptoms of cold sores include:
  • Small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on a raised, red, painful area of your skin
  • Pain or tingling, called the prodrome, often preceding the blisters by one to two days
  • Usual duration of seven to 10 days

Treatment for Cold Sore:

Cold sores typically go away on their own without any special treatment from a doctor. If you get a cold sore, try holding some ice wrapped in cloth on the sore. Do not pick at the sore and wash your hands frequently.

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