Cold Sores – What causes cold sores and what can be done about them?
Cold sores, also called fever blisters or oral herpes, are small sores that form most commonly on or near the lips. Cold sores usually follow a predictable pattern of four stages that lasts about 10-14 days. The first symptom is a painful, itchy tingling. A day or so later, small red blisters appear. Then, in a few days, the blisters form into oozing sores with yellowish crusts. Finally, in a week to 10 days, the sores scab over and heal. Outbreaks can be accompanied by low fever, headaches, body aches and fatigue. Cold sores are painful and annoying, but be patient. They do go away on their own, and you will soon be pain-free again. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Symptoms appear from 1-3 weeks after initial exposure. Once you are infected with the virus, it lives in your nervous system forever. Certain triggers seem to set off outbreaks. Some of these triggers include exposure to ultraviolet light, physical and emotional stress, fatigue, hormone fluctuations, the m
