Cold sores
goodtoknow says: Cold sores are annoying and embarrassing, because they're so noticeable, but they're harmless and affect millions of people. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are spread by kissing someone who has a cold sore, not from sharing towels or flannels. The virus can be triggered by illness, sunlight, wind, stress and periods. Your first cold sore usually happens in childhood. The first sign you're getting one is a 'tingling' sensation on the skin around your mouth. You can reduce its size and severity by applying an antiviral cream from your chemist as soon as possible.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of cold sores from patient.co.uk, read on.
About 1 in 5 people in the UK have recurring cold sores. Antiviral cream may help to reduce the severity of symptoms.
How do cold sores occur?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. A first cold sore usually occurs in childhood. The virus infects through the moist 'inner' skin that lines the mouth. It is commonly passed on by skin contact such as kisses from a family member who has a cold sore.
After the first infection, the virus settles in a nearby nerve sheath and remains there for the rest of your life. For most of the time, the virus lies dormant (inactive) and causes no symptoms. However, in some people the virus becomes 'active' from time to time. When activated, the virus multiplies and travels down the nerve sheath to cause cold sore blisters around the mouth. Some people have cold sores often, others only now and then. It is not clear what causes the dormant virus to become active. Some things that may 'trigger' the virus to activate and cause a cold sore include:
- Illness. Cold sores may occur during feverish illnesses such as colds, coughs, and 'flu.
- Menstruation. Cold sores are common around the time of monthly periods.
- Stress or just being 'run down' for one of many reasons.
- Sunshine. Strong, direct sunlight may trigger cold sores in some people.
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olivia, about 1 year
i have got a coldsore but they are yellow an really hurting me what can i do i dint read the article much i just scanned through it my dad thinks i should go to the hospital
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Kelly, about 1 year
I have had cold sores since i can remember, what i normally do is get some tissue pour vinegar onto it with an ice cube, straight away leave on until ice cube has melted. This really works, this might sting and smell awful but belive me you will notice a difference. Vinegar has something in it that kills the cold sore, but this is not for long results.
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