Cold Sore Information

What Is Happening When You Have A Cold Sore?

What is a cold sore?

The American Academy of Dermatology Association explains cold sores as: "A cold sore is a small blister or group of blisters that usually develop on the lip or around the mouth. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Cold sores are also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex labialis If you get cold sores, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans ages 14 to 49 carry the virus that causes cold sores. The virus stays in the body after the cold sores clear. If the virus reactivates, or wakes up, you may get cold sores again. Cold sores are generally not serious. In healthy people, cold sores tend to clear within two weeks."

Wait, I HAVE HERPES?!

First of all, take a deep breath. Yes, cold sores are a form of herpes simplex virus, similar to the STD, but it is not the same thing. There are two strands of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)

HSV-1 - Herpes Simplex Labialis (HSV-1) is a virus that tends to form or 'flare' around the lips and nose, thus the term 'labialis', meaning lips.

HSV-2 - Herpes Virus that effects the genital's. You can learn more about it from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How did I develop cold sores?

I decided to put this here because people can be cruel. Most are uninformed and will immediately jump to conclusions.

Cold sores are spread through the puss in the blister. While the wound is infectious, any contact with the substance that could be on the skin, can immediately transfer the virus.

You could have kissed someone with a cold sore, or kissed a part of the outbreak and not have realized it while it was infectious. You could have used a straw, Chapstick, towel, razor, drink, food, or any other item that came in touch with the virus.

A known trigger is stress. This includes good stress, you are at a high risk of having a flare either from being extremely upset, or even extremely happy.

Wait, it says it takes 2 weeks to heal?!

The unfortunate and honest answer is that no matter what anyone says, there is NO treatment or cure, that will immediately heal a cold sore or stop it in its tracks. I'm sorry, it doesn't exist. Believe me, I wish it did. Don't let that make you panic though.

Stages of a Cold Sore

It happens in stages.

Once a stage has started, you have to wait them out. It's a simple fact, your body is being attacked by a virus. Which creates a wound in the skin and attempts to spread. Your body then has to heal itself. There is no snap-of-the-fingers fix.

Stage 1: Tingling

The main symptom of anyone who realizes they are about to have a flare. That odd sensation of tingling or itchiness on a particular spot of your face. Usually within 12 hours the area will go from tingling/itching to forming a red blotch then a blister. Be aware, the infection likes to move around. You may have your last flare have been in one spot, and a new flare end up somewhere else.

Stage 2: Blistering

The skin quickly forms into either a large, or multiple blisters that may cover a small or large area. As soon as the blisters form, you are highly infectious.

You should be taking steps to protect yourself as well as others during this stage. Babies, the elderly, and anyone immunocompromised are extremely susceptible. While it is extremely rare, it is possible for someone to die from an infection transferred by the virus.

Stage 3: Weeping

Weeping, is one of the most annoying stages. This is where the virus is trying to spread itself, either to new areas on you, or to another host. The blisters become soft, and the fluid inside starts oozing and spreading. The wounds are very raw at this time and can be painful.

It is vital to keep your wounds as clean as possible, and to safely absorb and dispose of any pus that is leaking (cotton swab, et).

Stage 4: Crusting

The pus has finally stopped flowing. The healing stage can finally begin. The skin forms a crust over the wound to begin the healing process.

Stage 5: Healing

The virus goes into remission and the skin heals.

Try to not pop the blisters.

Try to not pop the blisters.

One of the biggest things is don't pop the blisters. Though from my own experience, I know that isn't always possible. If you decide you must break the main law of cold sore care, please be careful. Wear medical gloves, clean the wound before and after, ensure any instruments have been cleaned with alcohol. Have gauze or q-tips right by you, because you need to absorb the pus away from the skin the second is starts draining. Throw away all used materials/re-clean tools with soap/hot water and alcohol. Keep your wound clean.