What are the stages of a cold sore?
The Type 1 cold sore or fever blister, goes through a series of stages beginning with a tingling, itching and/or throbbing pain in the affected area. These symptoms may also be accompanied by a feeling of an oncoming flu, no energy and possible achy joints. Next you may begin to experience a small, hard spot beginning to develop on your lip or adjacent area on your face, including your chin, nostrils and even fingers. Within a day or two, if youve had these episodes before, you know that you will begin to see clusters of small red, and extremely painful bumps begin to develop around your lips and face, that generally last from 8 to 14 days. The signs and symptoms may not be noticed for nearly three weeks after you have been exposed to the virus, at which time, youll experience the formation of the blisters, watch them break and then leak their fluids. After all of this, a yellow crust develops over the area, and finally falls off, leaving fresh, exposed skin that generally heals withou
Day 1: Prodrome (tingle) stage – Before a cold sore has formed, you may feel a tingling, itching or burning sensation beneath the skin, usually around the mouth or the base of the nose. Applying antiviral medications during this stage can help alleviate cold-sore symptoms. Days 2 to 3: Blister stage – An outbreak of fluid-filled blisters is the first visible sign of cold-sore formation. Day 4: Ulcer or weeping stage – Typically, the most contagious and painful stage of cold sores is when blisters rupture, leaving a shallow, reddish, open sore. Days 5 to 8: Crusting stage – After a few days, the blisters dry up and form a yellow or brownish crust, which eventually falls off. During this stage, it is important to care for the scab, which can crack or break. Days 9 to 12: Healing stage – Usually a series of scabs will form on the lesion, which eventually flake off. Each new scab will be smaller than the previous one, until the cold sore heals completely, usually without scarring. What tri
Cold sores, untreated, can last up 14 days. Beginning treatment at the first sign of tingling can reduce the time to as little as 2-4 days. Beginning treatment after the blister appears can also significantly reduce the time and degree of pain. Day 1: Prodrome (tingle) stage – Before a blister appears, one usually feels a tingling, itching or burning sensation beneath the skin, usually around the mouth or the base of the nose. This is the best time to start treatment.(1) Days 2 to 3: The blister(s) appear. Day 4: Ulcer or weeping stage – This is when the blister opens up revealing a reddish area. One is most contagious and in the most pain.(2) Days 5 to 8: Crusting stage – The blisters dry up and a crust forms which is yellow or brown in color. Do not pick at this crust.(3) Days 9 to 14: Healing stage – A series scabs will form over the sore, each smaller than the previous one until the cold sore is completely healed. (1,2,3) – In the SCU study, 40% of those using Quantum’s product avo
