Are Cold Sores Contagious?

To avoid spreading your existing cold sore to other people or to other areas of your body you should be sure to wash your hands frequently with antibacterial soap. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Tons of people are diagnosed with this virus every year. Most people contract it as children and are unaware of it. Some folks are lucky enough to never even experience cold sore outbreaks, but for those who do there are several ways to treat your cold sore at home.

• Licorice Tea or Licorice Supplements – Licorice has been used for many centuries as a healing tool. Take advantage of all of its healing benefits.
• Ice Pack – Apply an ice pack to reduce the swelling.
• Abreva – Abreva is an over the counter treatment for cold sores that helps reduce the amount of time that you have a cold sore.

How to Prevent Cold Sores

You can easily prevent yourself from getting cold sores by getting in the habit of washing your hands thoroughly and often. You can also prevent cold sores by taking a multivitamin or nutritional supplement each day to provide your body with the strength that it needs to fight against cold sores and other viruses.

One True Cause of Cold Sores

There is only one true cause of cold sores, but there are many triggers. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of this virus. Cold sores are caused by the type one of the herpes simplex virus. Genital herpes is caused by type two of the herpes simplex virus. All cold sores that are located on or near the face are generally caused by the first type of the herpes simplex virus.

What causes cold sores is not a mystery. Only HSV (herpes simplex virus) can cause cold sores. If you have a cold sore, you can just bet that you have the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are not caused by anything else other than the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores may have different triggers, but they are all caused by the same virus.

Cold Sores in Children

Children can contract the herpes simplex virus just as easily as adults can. In fact, most people contract the herpes simplex virus as small children and are not aware of it.

Cold Sores on the Nose

Cold sores can be contracted to other parts of the body besides the lip. Cold sore can show up on the nose, cheeks, and even inside of the mouth. A cold sore on your nose or face is not any different than a cold sore that is located on the lip.

Cold Sores in the Mouth

Canker sores, which occur inside the mouth, are usually mistaken for cold sores. Cold sores that develop inside of the mouth are fairly rare, but they do occur. These types of cold sores cannot be treated in the same way as a cold sore on the lip may be treated. If you experience a cold sore located inside of your mouth, you might want to consider seeing your doctor so that they can provide you with some treatments for relief.

Cold sores that occur in the mouth often occur on the upper part of the mouth or the roof. Cold sores in the mouth are often mistaken for canker sores and vice versa. Canker sores are small white bumps located on the inside of the mouth, usually around the gums.

Cold sores are reoccurring problem that you can expect to deal with for the rest of your life. There is not currently a cure for the herpes simplex virus. That is why cold sores keep coming back.

Triggers

Stress. High levels of chronic stress can lead to the formation of cold sores. High levels of stress on the body can cause the immune system to crash. Once your immune system crashes, you are susceptible to cold sore out breaks and other viruses and diseases.

Hormonal changes can trigger cold sores to occur as well. Hormonal changes can include menstruation or a hormonal imbalance. This is why women with active herpes simplex virus often have cold sores pop up around the time of their periods.

Fever or sickness can also bring a cold sore around. This can include the common cold, the flu, or any other type of illness that will weaken your immune system.

A weakening of the immune system is another factor in what causes cold sores to appear. Sickness, stress, and malnourishment can all lead to the immune system breaking down. Taking a daily vitamin can help ensure that you are giving your body everything that is needs to fight for you.

Trauma to the skin can also to the development of a cold sore. Sometimes, there simply is not a reason or trigger that causes a cold sore to develop. Cold sores tend to come and go as they please without giving any rhyme or reason.
Prolonged exposure to ultra violet light can also trigger a cold sore.

Prevention

While almost sixty five percent of the human population already has contracted the herpes simplex virus, you can try to protect yourself from contracting it by washing your hands as much as possible. Hand washing and good hygiene can not only prevent you from contracting the herpes simplex virus, they can also help you to prevent cold sores from reoccurring.

Applying lip balm or chap stick with some kind of SPF can help prevent cold sores as well.

Eating a balanced diet that is full of the essential vitamins and minerals can also keep cold sores at bay. Garlic is a good food to help prevent cold sores and any other antiviral disease. Iron and Zinc are two very important minerals in the prevention of cold sores.

Dried Melissa leaf boiled in hot water can also help prevent cold sores from appearing. This is a commonly found herb that is safe to ingest.

If you feel a cold sore coming on, you can prevent it from forming by applying over the counter medicines like Abreva directly to the area that is tingling.

Cold sores are a common problem that no one should feel ashamed of. Some people have the herpes simplex virus without even knowing it because it lies dormant. This means that the virus is in their body, but it does not become active. What causes cold sores or trigger cold sore in some people may not affect others. Each individual is different. The most important thing to remember about cold sores is that you can seek treatment to ease your discomfort. If you get cold sores that do not go away after a two week period, you might want to consider making an appointment with your doctor.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/coldsores.html

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cold-sore/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001631/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-sore/DS00358

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_labialis

Some people might experience this problem only a few times a year, while others suffer from this issue more frequently. Canker sores are often mistaken for cold sores because of their similar appearance, but they are in fact very different.

Canker sores always show up inside of the mouth. Cold sores, on the other hand, appear on the outside of the mouth most of the time, although they can occur inside of the mouth.

Signs & Causes of Cold Sores

Signs

Cold sores in the mouth often can be found on the gums and the roof of the mouth. Some people have been know to feel a tingling sensation on their lips before a cold sore appears. This is known as a prodrome. As a cold sore begins to form, the area will reddened as the small blister begins to appear.

Causes

Cold sores can be brought on by:

• High levels of continuous stress
• Fevers
• Changes in the immune system
• Hormonal changes
• Too much exposure to the sun

Cold sores are in fact contagious. Kissing, drinking after someone with a cold sore, or other body contact can spread the cold sore infection.

Available Cold Sore Remedies

Lysine for cold sores & Abreva

Lysine is one of the most popular cold sore remedies. Lysine is a very popular over the counter treatment that can be taken as a cold sore is felt coming on. It is said to greatly decrease the amount of time that a cold sore sticks around. Lysine is an amino acid that is essential for good health.

Our body does not produce or create this acid, so it must be taken in supplement form or through a healthy diet. While Lysine has been proven to help with lowering the amount of outbreaks and shortening the time a cold sore last, there are a few side effects users should be aware of.

Lysine Side Effects
When taking lysine supplements users can expect higher levels of triglycerides in the blood as well as higher cholesterol levels as well.

Taking too much lysine can cause:

• Muscle cramps
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Lysine for Children
Lysine is completely safe for children of all ages. When used properly, this supplement can be very beneficial and is completely safe. Lysine is often used with Abreva as one of the best cold sore remedies. Abreva is a topical cream that can directly be applied to the cold sore to provide instantly relief.

This product also shortens the length of time a cold sore lingers. Only children over the age of twelve should use Abreva. Some people have experienced rashes and swelling of the mouth area, but these are several cases that were rare.

More Cold Sore Remedies

Rub ice on the affected area Cold sores are painful. Ice has natural pain relieving properties that can help alleviate the pain of the affected area. Rub the ice cube in circular manner instead of using a back and forth motion to avoid scratching the area. Do this for a few minutes each hour until the pain is tolerable. Resume doing this once the pain is too strong to bear. Personally this is one of my favorite cold sore remedies.

Use the healing properties of tea. Tea, regardless of any kind, has healing properties that’s been recognized in Chinese medicines for thousands of centuries. However, it’s commonly taken orally as a beverage. But it can also be used as a topical cure for many skin related diseases including cold sores. You can dip a tea bag in warm water and then pull it out. Let the excess water drip in the cup before putting the wet tea bag in your blisters. Leave this on for about five minutes. Repeat the procedure every hour.

Apply cold milk in the affected area. This is perhaps the most commonly available cure for cold sores since there’s guaranteed to be at least one bottle of milk in every refrigerator. Doctors believe that cold milk can also hasten the healing process of cold sores. Dip a part of a cotton ball or a cotton bud in cold milk and then gently apply it to your blister. The cold will ease the pain almost immediately while the nutrients contained in milk will help cure the blister faster.

Cover your blisters with bits of raw onion. One of the stranger cold sore remedies, the Chinese, East Indians, Egyptians and ancient Romans have long ago discovered the anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of onion. The same properties can help reduce the inflammation of a cold sore and kill any bacteria in the area. Just cut an onion into small pieces and use it to cover your blisters. It’s best done when you are in a reclined position or lying down.

The last of the cold sore remedies, Rinse your mouth with plum juice. This sometimes sweet, sometimes tart fruit is eaten raw or in jams. But for the treatment of cold sores that has spread inside your mouth, you will use the fresh juice of a plum fruit to rinse your mouth. You can also use this juice as a topical treatment for the blisters. Use a ball of cotton or a Q tip to apply the plum juice in the affected area.

Prevention

When it comes to cold sores, prevention is the best treatment and is the only way to keep cold sores at bay. For those who suffer from cold sores often, there are a few things that you can do to prevent cold sores from occurring. One of the most obvious ways to prevent cold sores is to avoid the possible triggers.

Boost your immune system by consuming Vitamin C or garlic supplements. Another common sense way to prevent and avoid cold sores is to wash your hands as much as possible and avoid drinking or eating after other people.

Applying lotion to your lips or lip balm that includes any form of SPF sunscreen can also help people to avoid cold sores.

For those who suffer from high levels of stress, zinc lozenges can be helpful in boosting your immune system. Maintaining a healthy diet is also important in the prevention of cold sores. Your immune system cannot fight off health issues like cold sores without the right jump start.

Conclusion

These little blisters can cause a lot of physical pain, social stigma, and are just down right unsightly. Cold sores can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable issue that can be avoided and treated. While there is not currently a cure for cold sores or for the virus that causes it, treatment and prevention are the only things that can help with the symptoms.

Just about everyone has suffered from a cold sore, but what treatments work for some might not work for others. If you have a cold sore that last longer than one to two weeks without signs of improvement, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away.

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/coldsores1.shtml#cold_sore_treatments

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/home-remedies-for-cold-sores.htm

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/ColdSores.htm

Herpes Simplex Virus

Type one of the herpes simplex virus can easily be spread through physically contact. If the physical content occurs in the genital area, cold sores can develop in the groin region. The herpes simplex virus can be spread by kissing an infected person while they have a cold sore, drinking after an infected person, or using the same cosmetics as someone with a cold sore. It is also wise to avoid using the same wash cloths or tooth brush as an infected person with an active outbreak. Practicing good hand washing procedures is also important to avoid spreading the herpes simplex virus. If an infected person touches their cold sore and then touches their eyes, genitals, or inside of their mouth it is possible to spread the infection to these areas of the body. The question of are cold sores an STD can easily be answered.

Are Cold Sores An STD?

Type one of the herpes simplex virus is not an STD. Type two of the herpes simplex is a sexually transmitted disease. While type of the of herpes simplex virus is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, if a person engages in oral sex with someone with an active outbreak, they could develop type two of the virus.

Lysine is an herbal supplement that contains valuable amino acids that have the power to fight off cold sores. A weak immune system is one of the major causes of cold sores, Lysine can help boost your immune system to not only prevent cold sores from occurring, but help reduce the amount of time that they stick around. The use of Lysine can help speed up the healing time and reduce the chance of infection.

Recommended Dosage

When using Lysine for cold sores, it is important not to overdose on the supplement, it is also important to first consult your doctor. You should consume at least 1250 milligrams of Lysine on a daily basis. You should not exceed doses more than 2500 to 3000 milligrams a day.

Lysine Side Effects

There are a few side effects concerning the use of Lysine for cold sores.

The side effects include:

• Diarrhea – one of the most common side effects of taking Lysine.
• Stomach pain – this is also another side effect related to taking Lysine.
• Kidney disease – Lysine has been linked with kidney disease in one report, if you have kidney related problems, please consult your doctor before taking Lysine.
• Pregnancy – it is not known whether or not the use of Lysine for cold sores during pregnancy causes any harm to the fetus or the mother.

Interaction with other Medications

Lysine can have interactions with other drugs that you may be taking. Calcium supplements are one medication that Lysine interacts with. Seek the advice of your doctor when combining Lysine with any other prescription medication.

Cold Sores & Canker Sores Difference

People usually confuse canker sores as cold sore inside mouth and vice versa. But they’re two completely different conditions caused by completely different things. A canker sore is a type of ulceration caused by irritation inside the mouth, while a cold sore is caused by the herpes simplex virus (type 1). Canker sores are not contagious, while on the other hand, cold sores are highly contagious. So if the sore is inside of the mouth and looks like the one in the picture above, it is probably a canker sore.

Getting rid of Canker Sores

Now that you’ve made sure that you have canker sores, it is time to get rid of them. Canker sores are caused by irritation to the mouth, if you scratch or bite the inside of you mouth, you can almost always expect a canker sore. Getting rid of canker sores is relatively easy, you just have to wait it out.

Canker sores usually go away by themselves, chewing on some ice might help with the pain by numbing the affected area. Another remedy you can try is using cayenne powder, cayenne contains a chemical called capsaicin, which desensitizes the nerves that cause pain. Apply the powder directly over the canker sore, this can be painful, but the pain goes away quickly.

So, to cap it off, a cold sore inside mouth, is almost always a canker sore.

How does Abreva work?

Abreva is an over the counter medication that has been proven to help treat cold sores. It is not an antiviral medication and does not cure cold sores. Abreva works by altering the healthy cells in the body that have not been infected the herpes simplex virus. By changing these cells, the virus cannot infect new cells. This can limit the infection from spreading. Abreva does not protect against the herpes simplex virus nor does it prevent future outbreaks from occurring. It is a topical treatment that is capable of reducing the size, swelling, and appearance of a cold sore.

The tea bag remedy. Putting a warm tea bag on the area where the cold sore is beginning to form for a period of about thirty minutes can allow reduced healing time and reduced appearance of the cold sore.

Natural remedies. Applying salt directly to the cold sore can heal it naturally and quickly. Another treatment that helps get rid of cold sores fast can include applying olive leaf extracts to the area or applying lemon balm to the area.

Household remedy. There are a number of different at home remedies like applying an ice cube directly to the cold sore to reduce swelling and appearance of the cold sore.

Overnight remedy. There are a number of over the counter medications that can help reduce the appearance of your cold sore overnight. Such products might include, but are not limited to, Abreva, Lysine, Anbesol, or Valtrex. Zovirax is another over the counter treatment that you can purchase or you can get a prescription from your doctor.

Using commercial products such as Abreva, is the easiest way to get rid of cold sores fast. Abreva can be bought without a prescription, online or at your local drug store. If you’re looking for Abreva coupons click here.

Determining whether that blemish you have is a lip pimple or cold sore is not hard. A cold sore is caused by type one of the herpes simplex virus. A pimple is caused by a blockage in the pores of the skin. A pimple will be red and sometimes have a white top, while cold sores look more like blisters. Pimples may itch or not cause any discomfort at all, while cold sores often burn or tingle. Both are unsightly. The picture above on the left is a pimple and the picture on the right is a cold sore on lip.

Cold Sore on Cheek?

Cold sores often appear around the mouth region, but it is possible to get a cold sore on cheek, inside of the mouth, as well as on or inside of the nose. Cold sores are highly contagious. The easiest way to if the guest on your lip is a pimple or cold sore, is to pay attention for any tingling sensations on your lip. The first few days before a cold sore appears, most people experience a tingling or burning sensation where the cold sore will pop up. If you experience this feeling, you may be getting a cold sore. You can begin treating your cold sore as soon as you experience this tingling or burning sensation, although not all people may feel it.

Avoiding Cold Sores

There is no cure for the virus that causes cold sores. It is a life long condition. Cold sores often reappear in the same places. The virus that causes cold sores often travels back down the nerve, where it lies dormant until the perfect conditions for an outbreak arise. This is why cold sores often keep showing up in the same places. Avoiding high levels of stress, long exposure to sunlight, and cold winds can help prevent a cold sore from being triggered.

There is a lot of confusion as to whether or not cold sores and herpes are the same thing. Some folks seem to think that if they have a cold sore, that they have a sexually transmitted disease. This is not the case. Cold sore and herpes are both caused by the same virus, but each affliction is caused by a different type of the virus.

Is A Cold Sore Herpes?

There are two different types of the herpes simplex virus. Type one of the virus causes cold sores. Type two of the herpes simplex virus is known for causing the STD herpes. Cold sores and herpes are not the same thing, even if they are caused by the same virus. While cold sores and herpes do have the same blister like appearance, just because you have a cold sore does not mean that you have herpes.

How to Know Which Type of The Virus You Have

It is possible to have a herpes outbreak on your lip and mouth area, just like a cold sore. The only way to be able to tell if the cold sore on your lip is caused by type two of the herpes simplex virus is to visit your doctor before the blister bursts. The doctor will take fluid samples from the inside of the cold sore and can let you know which type of the virus you have. A large percent of the population already has the herpes simplex virus and are not aware of it. Type one of the virus, the one that causes cold sores, can lay dormant in an individual their entire life. Most people contract this virus as children. Do not freak out just because you have a cold sore. It more than likely is the same virus that most everyone else has. If you feel you have been at risk for herpes or any other STD, you might consider visiting your doctor.