Cold Sores - How To Treat Mouth Blisters & Mouth Ulcers Caused By Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Posted: Thursday, April 16, 2009
by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com
Cold Sores not only appear ugly once formed but darned right painful at times if you pick at them taking a scab or bursting a blister in the process. Cold sores are not known for soreness but of course anything is possible depending on severity. People who suffer regular from a blistery mouth may well know about the medications available that effectively remove them, even if only for a short period of time. But then we have the people who don`t. We get asked a lot if there is a cure to completely rid cold sores forever. Sadly no, but particular medications are valuable for control and management of them. Cold sores come in stages and each level is contagious. Wash your hands at every convenience so not to spread the herpes virus to other body parts or people you come in contact with.
Cold sores are described as a type of facial lesion, cut, skin graze, wound, laceration, or whatever you deem fitting to call them which suit how they appear on your lips. They are solely linked to the lips or to immediate skin around the mouth. If you hear mention of fever blisters then this is another reference used for cold sores and the medical phrase for recurrent herpes labialis.
Some people are more vulnerable than others making infection easy to take hold, whereas others are more likely to catch the disease off someone already infected. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus of which there are two types.
Herpes simplex type 1 virus as a rule infects body tissues above the waistline and is generally the one associated with cold sores. The herpes simplex virus type 2 goes in the opposite direction, and infects body tissues below the waistline (genital herpes.) Don`t go blaming others because you have the infection as it can occur without being exposed to another person`s germs. Also, cold sores are not necessarily a sign of an acquired herpes simplex infection but reactivation of the already present herpes virus grains in the human body. Cold sores erupt when inactive virus grains become reactivated.
Symptoms of a patient's first herpes infection usually include: fever, tetchiness, headaches and throat pain when swallowing. After a couple of days the mouth is painful due to severely inflamed gums. Pain continues for the patient when tiny blisters that usually appear around day 3 cover the whole inside of the mouth. When the blisters burst it results in grey ulcers. These ulcers make eating difficult. The actual infection is normally been and gone taking the ulcers with it within 10 days up to a fortnight. Usual medications purchased from the chemist nearly all include painkilling ingredients to relieve the symptoms of cold sores. There are also products which help provide a setting that is believed to restrain continued development of the infection
The compounds zinc, lysine, phenol, and tannic acid are known for their antiviral qualities, which supposedly endorse an inhibitory effect on the herpes power to form mouth lesions. Antibacterial agents are a waste of time and money because they have no power to make any difference to the herpes virus grains, and this is not what you want. You need to look at medications consisting of antibacterial compounds. These assist in quickening up the healing process because they provide a setting that encourages fast action healing of cold sores. Seek medical attention if your problem looks like one of a serious matter. You`re GP will prescribe appropriate medication to treat whatever level of severity your cold sores are at.
If you feel they are not a matter of seriousness and would like to try a home remedy to cure them, then fine but you need to be cautious about using unfamiliar products or solutions. Below are tips on how to treat cold sores, get relief as well as hopefully heal. Remember what works in the way of a cure for one person`s cold sores may not for another`s.
1. Lip balm is a regular product used by people suffering from chapped lips, but as most contain moisturizer, lip balm is now a common product used on cold sores because it softens the scabs preventing them from cracking and bleeding.
2. Hot weather conditions (sunlight) can sometimes cause an outbreak of cold sores. Use lip balm containing zinc oxide or one that provides sun screen protection. Protect the lips at all times when out in the sun.
3. Every 60 minutes for 5 to 10 minutes gently place ice on the infected area. The lips will feel tingly but this is normal and it is at tingle time that it lowers the temperature of tissue where the cold sore is developing. The benefit of using ice is it acts as a numbing agent that is good for pain and stops any urge to itch. More problems occur from scratching cold sores and a quick way to spread the infection on.
4. As with eye puffiness where teabags are used to bring down swelling, they are also effective on cold sores. Tea contains tannic acid and it`s been said that tannic acid has antiviral properties. Get in there first, meaning, when the sore begins place a teabag on the area, this will prevent further growth. Place a moist tea bag onto the cold sore for a couple of minutes every hour.
5. A lot of people swear by using petroleum jelly which they smooth over their "scabby mouth," not my words, theirs, - and say they would never be without a jar of it in the bathroom cabinet regardless of cold sores or not. These same people said they actually panicked on it running out. Petroleum jelly rubbed on the scabs moisturizes the lips and softens the sores to help stop cracking and bleeding.
One main reason why people take action about their cold sores is when they start dribbling (weeping.) They then seek a way to help dry the sores up. If they are already established on the lip and you want to dry them out then grind a little salt. Moisten your finger and dip it in powdered salt. Press powder onto the sore and hold for 30 seconds. Don't rinse. To be done twice daily for 2/3 days to see a result. We all know salt has amazing healing qualities for skin rash and some infections, however it doesn`t come without it`s drawback, "stinging" when in contact with an open cut or sore. Brace yourself for this solution.
Stop the spread of cold sores before infection gets out of control
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