Cold Sores are infections caused by viruses and also called fever blisters. If you have a cold sore, you can also treat it, or they can also go without any treatment or any prescription from the doctor within 2-3 weeks but for those who are waiting for instant and quick results, need to read this article till the end to know How to get rid of cold sores fast. But before that, I will give you a brief explanation of cold sores and move to the article.
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Cold sores, commonly known as fever Blisters, are an infection that is caused by the virus called herpes simplex virus. It is caused by close personal contact with someone, such as eating someone’s food or kissing someone suffering from cold sores, touching someone’s face with cold sores, and then touching your face again. It starts with a simple burning sensation on the edge of your lips and then results in a puss formation in your lips.
What are the stages of Cold Sore? And how to get rid of cold sores fast?
Stages of the Cold Sore:
- In the first stage, you might feel a burning and an itching sensation before 24 hours of the cold sore.
- In the second stage, the cold sore turns and forms form into a blister.
- In the third stage, the blisters burst, and it causes pain around and in the affected area.
- The sores dry and scab and cause an itching and a cracking sensation.
- In the last stage, the scab falls off and then heals.
These are the typical stages of the cold sore and can be healed fast with some medications given below in this article and can also go away of its own, but it may take some time. So if you are expecting an instant result, you may try the medications given below.
What are the causes of Cold Sores?
There are many causes of cold sores with different reasons in different people. Still, it is mainly caused due to personal contact such as kissing your loved ones or sharing your food, water, lip balms, toothbrushes, towels, cosmetics with them. Apart from these fundamental reasons, many reasons cause cold sores on our skin. Let’s have a look at what are they?
Viral Infections and Fever:
The primary reason the causes of cold sores is the bacteria and virus responsible for it and cause such infections on our skin after undergoing any viral infection and fever.
In Stressful Conditions:
When we are stressed, our immune system declines and becomes more prone to bacteria and infections. So stress also serves as one of the major causes of cold sores.
Changes in Hormones:
Hormonal changes can also cause cold sores. Especially women undergoing menstrual cycle or pregnancy can witness cold sores due to hormonal changes.
Fatigue:
Fatigue is also one of the causes of cold sores. The reason is when you are tired and your energy levels are low, there will be a decline in your immune system, and thus, your body becomes more vulnerable to infection and finds it difficult to resist it.
These are not only the reasons; there are also several reasons like exposure to heat and cold and other viral infections and bacteria.
What are the things that we should not do with cold sores?
These are a few essential things that you should not do with your cold sore is;
Do not touch it:
If you touch the open blister, again and again, there is the risk of infection in your face if you have touched it, then wash your hands immediately with cold water to avoid the infections from spreading all over your face.
Do not try to pop it:
If you pop it, there is a chance of the marks leaving deep scars on your face. So do not try to pop cold sores.
Do not scrub it harshly:
If you scrub the cold sores, it can irritate you and can cause damages to your skin too. So if you want to clean it, wash it with cold water gently.
Avoid citrus fruits:
Do not eat citrus fruits as it can cause a burning sensation when it comes in contact with your face.
Avoid Physical Contact:
If you have cold sores, you should avoid physical relationships with your partner like kissing and intimate relationships like oral sex. They can spread through your mouth contact through your genitals and cause further infection-related issues.
These were some common things that you should restrict yourself from doing if you have Cold Sores.
What are the symptoms of Cold Sores?
- Cold Sores can cause itching and burning sensation on the edge of your lips, and people with cold sores may also experience sore lips and ulcers.
- Your skin may turn red and can have rashes, ulcers, or redness on your face.
- Oozing and crusting sensation.
- Swollen lymph nodes
- And sometimes, it occurs after recovery from the fever, and it is better known as fever blisters.
- Lip swelling.
- Nose or Mouth Swelling.
How to get rid of Cold Sores Fast?
To reduce the time of cold sores, you can try some remedies to reduce it to some extent and prevent the infections from spreading further.
Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera enhances the healing procedure and reduces the pain up to some extent. It contains anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties that benefit the skin in many aspects.
Apply Ice:
Ice serves as an anti-inflammatory remedy that can help to reduce swelling and redness to some extent. It cannot reduce the breakout of the cold sores but can reduce the pain and discomfort up to some extent.
Have Pain Killers and doctor prescription:
To reduce the pain, tingling, and burning effect that is caused due to cold sores, you can have painkillers like acetaminophen and reduce the pain you are undergoing; the doctor can suggest some drugs like famciclovir, valacyclovir, penciclovir, acyclovir, and so on.
Stress Less:
To avoid being exposed to infections like sunburn or any other diseases, reduce your stress levels so that it will be helpful for you to cope with your overall health. Do meditation and exercise to reduce your mental health, fit and healthy.
Use Lysine:
Apply Lysine, which is regarded as the best medication for treating cold sores; it is available in both cream and capsule form. You can apply it or have it in capsule form to reduce the pain and discomfort to some extent.
Keep it moisturized:
Use products like lip balm and any moisturizing cream to keep the area hydrated wet and prevent dry and peeled off.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple Cider Vinegar has many benefits; one among them is fighting off against germs, bacteria, and viruses. So it will help treat the cold sore. Still, before applying it, you should see whether you do not apply it directly, and it may reverse the process and irritate your cold sore. Before applying it, always remember to dilute it with water but not directly. Apple Cider Vinegar also acts as the best answer for your question of getting rid of cold sores fast.
When should you see a doctor if you have a cold sore?
- See the doctor immediately you have developed a high fever due to the cold sore or chills.
- Visit the doctor if there is an increase in cold sores, which means it has started to spread.
- If you have severe pain around your cold sore areas.
- See the doctor if you have cold sores around your eyes or other parts of your body.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Get Rid of Cold Sores:
What are Cold Sores also Known as?
Cold Sores are also known as Fever Blisters.
Are Cold Sores Dangerous?
Cold Sores or Fever Blisters cannot be dangerous. Still, some people can lead to serious health complications, and those affected by this type of Cold Sore should take proper care and visit the doctor immediately for proper treatment. Rush to the doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms along with the cold sore like,
- If the infection has been spread throughout the body.
- If you have developed a fever because of Cold Sore or,
- If your Cold Sore has not healed within two weeks.
Are Cold Sores and Genital Herpes the same?
Both are more or less the same, but the difference is only about the area where it has been founded. Genitals Herpes are found in genitals, whereas cold sores are found on lips, but the similarity between the two is that both are caused by the same virus but of different stages.
The cold sores are caused by the HSV-1, whereas the Genitals Herpes are caused due to the HSV-2 Virus.
Which Vitamin Deficiency is linked up with Cold Sores?
It has been noted that people with Vitamin-B deficiency are more prone and vulnerable to Cold Sores. To avoid cold sores, you should eat foods rich in Vitamin B.
How will you know if you have Cold Sores?
At first, you will feel a burning or tingling sensation on your lips, and then it starts to form clusters in your lips and then bursts and irritates the part where it has formed. You will know that you have cold sores due to is tingling and burning sensation that occurs before the symptoms.
What shouldn’t you eat if you have a cold sore?
You should avoid eating acidic foods, which means you should not eat foods like citrus fruits should avoid tomatoes, soda, pickles, salad with vinegar dressings, fruit juices, wine, and foods that are hot and spicy.
Avoiding these foods will not cure the cold sore immediately, but you can feel an irritating sensation on your wounds if you consume them.
Who is at more risk of developing cold sores?
Mostly anyone can get cold sore even if they are more cautious sometimes due to hormonal fluctuations; let’s take it, for example, in women. This condition is more common as they undergo many hormonal changes like a menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
How can I prevent cold sores?
- Avoid things that trigger your cold sores like stress, cold, and flu.
- Always use a lip balm or moisturizer to keep your lips nourished and moisturized and keep them safe from cold sores.
- Avoid sharing toothbrushes, towels, lip balm, and more things.
What are the medicines available for cold sores?
Medicines available for cold sores are,
- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
- Famciclovir (Famvir)
Take these medicines within 48 hours of the outbreak.
Cold Sore is not a harmful condition, but your negligence can make it worse. We have given detailed information on cold sores to answer your question about getting rid of cold sores fast. Be careful, be aware of the causes, take appropriate medications, and follow the necessary steps. And also, take proper medications and visit the doctor in case of severe conditions. Follow the steps given above and stay away from this condition to avoid these things.
I hope you have gained some helpful information on cold sores and How to get rid of cold sores fast. The tips mentioned above will help you get rid of the cold sores that are troubling you, and if not, you may need a doctor visit; in that condition, visit the doctor immediately.
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