What Are Cold Sores Anyway?
You know how embarrassing, annoying, and inconvenient getting those little red blisters on your lips can be. But just what are cold sores anyway?
Cold sores, which are also called fever blisters, are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, although herpes simplex type 2 (which is usually associated with genital herpes) can also cause sores on your face. And they're pretty common. Most people are exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1 in childhood. And, once you have "caught" the virus, it doesn't go away. Instead, the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells, just waiting to spring up at the most inconvenient and embarrassing times.
Cold sores are also pretty contagious. If you have an active lesion, you can spread the virus to other people in all sorts of ways, including:
* Using a towel other people are going to be using.
* Sharing cups or eating utensils with others.
* Touching your cold sore, and then touching someone else with your hand.
* Kissing.
Once you've contracted the virus, a lot of things can trigger a cold sore "attack," including stress, menstruation, and exposure to the sun. A fever can also cause cold sores to spring up, which is why they are sometimes called fever blisters.
Cold sores can be a real annoyance. But there are things you can do to prevent them, and make those you already have go away faster.
Cold sores, which are also called fever blisters, are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, although herpes simplex type 2 (which is usually associated with genital herpes) can also cause sores on your face. And they're pretty common. Most people are exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1 in childhood. And, once you have "caught" the virus, it doesn't go away. Instead, the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells, just waiting to spring up at the most inconvenient and embarrassing times.
Cold sores are also pretty contagious. If you have an active lesion, you can spread the virus to other people in all sorts of ways, including:
* Using a towel other people are going to be using.
* Sharing cups or eating utensils with others.
* Touching your cold sore, and then touching someone else with your hand.
* Kissing.
Once you've contracted the virus, a lot of things can trigger a cold sore "attack," including stress, menstruation, and exposure to the sun. A fever can also cause cold sores to spring up, which is why they are sometimes called fever blisters.
Cold sores can be a real annoyance. But there are things you can do to prevent them, and make those you already have go away faster.
Do You Suffer From Frequent Cold Sores?
Is Too Much Sun Exposure Causing Your Cold Sores?
One of the major triggers for cold sores is sun exposure.You've probably experienced it a half a dozen times without realizing there was a connection. One day, you spend a wonderful afternoon at the beach or picnicking with friends. Then, soon after that, you start to feel that familiar tingling in your lip that tells you that you are about to get a cold sore.
You could probably prevent many of your cold sores by avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. But that would also mean avoiding a lot of the fun things you enjoy doing.
Instead, get into the habit of using sunblock. Before you go outside, apply sunblock to your face and lips.
Many products today are made with sunblock already in them, including moisturizers, cosmetics, and even some shaving creams. Use them. They will help prevent some of your cold sore outbreaks.
You should also get into the habit of carrying around a lip balm that contains sunblock, and reapply it often.
And this isn't just something you should do during the summer months. Even during the winter months, when it might be nippy outside, you are still being exposed to the sun, and should still be using sunblock.
Making sunblock a part of your normal, daily routine can drastically cut down on the number of cold sores you have to deal with.
Over the Counter Relief for Cold Sores
"As it states, Abreva cuts down the duration of cold sores quite dramatically. If you manage to detect a cold sore as it just begins to form (usually indicated by a burning or tingling sensation on the lip area), application of Abreva will possibly event prevent the outbreak entirely. Upon a breakout of sores, I find that consistent application cuts the duration of sores from 1-2 weeks to a mere 1-3 days!"
Abreva Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment, .07-Ounce Tube
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $17.56
Avg. Customer Rating: 
What Do You Do When You Get Cold Sores?
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Home Remedies Can Make Your Cold Sores Go Away Faster
So, you might not be able to prevent yourself from getting cold sores entirely. But there are some home remedies you can use to make the cold sores you have go away faster.Get Milk
A compress made with whole milk can help a cold sore heal faster. It can also take some of the pain away.
Place a small amount of milk in a bowl, and let it until it reaches room temperature (about 15 minutes). Dunk a cotton ball in the milk, and then apply it directly to the cold sore. Let it sit there for about 10 minutes. Toss the cotton ball in the trash, and then rinse the milk from your skin.
Avoid Certain Foods
Eating certain foods can actually make it take longer for your cold sores to go away.
The herpes simplex virus needs the amino acid called arginine to thrive. When you eat foods that contain arginine during an outbreak, you are giving the cold sore exactly what it needs to stick around.
During cold sore outbreaks, avoid foods rich in arginine, like chocolate, peanuts, cashews, soda, beer, gelatin, cereals, and peas.
Cutting down on the amount of arginine-rich foods you eat even when you don't have cold sores could prevent the amount of outbreaks you experience.
Everything You Need To Know About Cold Sores
Advice on Treating Cold Sores
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- bob_riley bob_riley Oct 21, 2009 @ 3:22 am
- Bookmarked your lenses... nicely arranged... :)
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- BlackSirius BlackSirius Mar 16, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
- Great info on cold sore! Rated 5 stars and lensrolled...Cold sore is really annoying and appears unexpectedly when you need to be beautiful..Here to share my site about Cold Sore and my lens Cold Sores
by deejones
Cold sores can be more than a little embarrassing. So, how can you get rid of them? (more)
