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- Kissing Cold Sores Goodbye
Kissing Cold Sores Goodbye
- By Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa
- Published February 4, 2008
- Natural Remedies
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Understanding Cold Sores
Cold sores, the liquid-filled blisters that erupt around the lips and sometimes spread to the nose or chin, are caused primarily by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a common relative of the virus that causes chicken pox. The virus is related to, but not the same as, the HSV-2 virus, which causes genital herpes. Though quite similar in effect, these two varieties of virus are distinct. Typically, oral infections are caused by type 1, while genital infections are a result of type 2. However, it is possible for either type to infect either tissue. Practically, they are treated with the same methods.
Cold sores are not necessarily the result of being cold or catching a cold, and can be just as persistent in winter or summer. A variety of stimuli can trigger cold sores, including just about anything that insults the immune system.
If left untreated, an outbreak typically lasts six to 10 days. The episode goes through a series of stages. Sometimes the cold sores are accompanied by fever, swollen neck glands and general body aches.
Stage 1: Tingle/Redness — A tingling sensation develops, followed by skin redness.
Stage 2: Blister — The sore transitions to small painful lumps, then to tiny, painful, fluid-filled blisters.
Stage 3: Ulcer — An ulcer forms, and the sore is usually very painful and shallow.
Stage 4: Scabbing Phase — A scab begins to form, and the sore begins to itch, often followed by painful cracking.
Stage 5: Healing Phase — The scab falls off, leaving dry, flaky skin.
More than 90 percent of all adult cold sore sufferers were infected with the virus as children, typically from an adult with a cold sore, when they were between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. In most cases, the virus invades the moist membrane cells of the lips, throat or mouth. Usually, the initial exposure causes no symptoms. Most cases are mild and go unrecognized in the infant, often mistaken for teething or a cold. However, about 15 percent of those affected, as adults or children, develop blisters inside and outside of the mouth. Though the child gets well in short order, the virus never leaves the body, leaving the sufferer at risk of a secondary flare up at any time in later life. People who contract oral herpes as adults usually have more severe symptoms with their initial breakout.
Cold sores can be spread to other people by contact, including kissing and the sharing of objects such as toothbrushes, towels, knives and forks. It is important not to kiss others, including your own children if you have a cold sore. The virus can also be spread to other areas of your own body, so be cautious about touching other membranes, and wash your hands well after touching your mouth and face.
More than 60 percent of Americans have suffered from a cold sore at some time, with almost 25 percent of them experiencing recurrent outbreaks.
Don’t confuse cold sores with canker sores, correctly called aphthous ulcers, which are small ulcers that form on mucous membranes of the digestive tract, including the oral cavity. They are not caused by virus.
Cold sores are not necessarily the result of being cold or catching a cold, and can be just as persistent in winter or summer. A variety of stimuli can trigger cold sores, including just about anything that insults the immune system.
If left untreated, an outbreak typically lasts six to 10 days. The episode goes through a series of stages. Sometimes the cold sores are accompanied by fever, swollen neck glands and general body aches.
Stage 1: Tingle/Redness — A tingling sensation develops, followed by skin redness.
Stage 2: Blister — The sore transitions to small painful lumps, then to tiny, painful, fluid-filled blisters.
Stage 3: Ulcer — An ulcer forms, and the sore is usually very painful and shallow.
Stage 4: Scabbing Phase — A scab begins to form, and the sore begins to itch, often followed by painful cracking.
Stage 5: Healing Phase — The scab falls off, leaving dry, flaky skin.
More than 90 percent of all adult cold sore sufferers were infected with the virus as children, typically from an adult with a cold sore, when they were between the ages of 6 months and 4 years. In most cases, the virus invades the moist membrane cells of the lips, throat or mouth. Usually, the initial exposure causes no symptoms. Most cases are mild and go unrecognized in the infant, often mistaken for teething or a cold. However, about 15 percent of those affected, as adults or children, develop blisters inside and outside of the mouth. Though the child gets well in short order, the virus never leaves the body, leaving the sufferer at risk of a secondary flare up at any time in later life. People who contract oral herpes as adults usually have more severe symptoms with their initial breakout.
Cold sores can be spread to other people by contact, including kissing and the sharing of objects such as toothbrushes, towels, knives and forks. It is important not to kiss others, including your own children if you have a cold sore. The virus can also be spread to other areas of your own body, so be cautious about touching other membranes, and wash your hands well after touching your mouth and face.
More than 60 percent of Americans have suffered from a cold sore at some time, with almost 25 percent of them experiencing recurrent outbreaks.
Don’t confuse cold sores with canker sores, correctly called aphthous ulcers, which are small ulcers that form on mucous membranes of the digestive tract, including the oral cavity. They are not caused by virus.