Cold Sores - HSV1

Cold sores (which are also often known as fever blisters) are those small sores which usually appear on and above the upper lip. They are very common and easily spread with some 100 million recurring infections annually in the US. This annoying and often painful viral infection is caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus (HSV1). The virus tends to remain dormant in the nerve cells until your immune system is weakened and then flares up. This is why there is a connection between a cold and a cold sore. When you develop a cold, your immune system is compromised and a cold sore can break out. Fortunately, there are cold sore remedies available for your cold sore treatment and even prevention in the first place.

When a cold sore is about to appear, there will be a tingling sensation in the area affected, then redness, then the cold sore will start to form as very small blisters. When a red sore starts to appear, this becomes a very painful and contagious blister. Towards the end of the cycle, the cold sore starts to heal when a brown scab forms over the area. Finally the cold sore goes from brown to yellow. The whole cycle takes about ten days.

Everyone, whatever their age, finds it difficult and embarrassing to put up with a cold sore. Most people contract the herpes virus when they are young and it is spread in saliva or mucus that comes from the nose and mouth. Cold sores can be particularly severe for babies but usually the initial infection in young children is so mild that it goes unnoticed. There may be some blisters in the mouth. It is important to try and protect your small children from picking up the cold sore virus in the first place and it is easy for the virus to spread within the family unit itself. If you fear that skin contact has been made with another child or adult with a cold sore, then make sure to wash all areas with soap and water touched by the infected skin immediately.

There is more that you can do for cold sore prevention:

• Keep children’s lips moisturized with a protective lip balm. HSV can only infect the body if there is an opening in the skin such as a cut, scratch or crack.
• If your child is attending a child care facility, there should be a good hand washing or sanitizing practice in place; any child suffering from cold sores should be excluded and stay at home until these are healed and toys that are put into the mouth should be removed form the play area and disinfected.

• A toothbrush can harbor the herpes virus for days, re-infecting the sufferer after the current cold sore heals so throw the toothbrush away. During an outbreak your toothbrush should be replaced at the beginning, again after the blister develops and then once again after the sore has completely healed.

• The herpes virus needs arginine as an essential amino acid for its metabolism. Arginine rich foods are chocolate, cola, peas, grain cereals, peanuts, gelatin, cashews and beers so avoid all these if you or your child is prone to cold sores.

As far as cold sore treatment and cold sore remedies are concerned, natural herpes treatments are available to act as a preventative and to use when that tingle is first felt or to treat and heal a cold sore once it has started its cycle. There is no need to use harsh over-the-counter medications. If you have a cold sore, resist the temptation to lick or touch the area while keeping it as dry and clean as possible. Wrap some ice in a damp, clean cloth and apply this to the cold sore or try a moistened tea bag pressed on the cold sore every few minutes – the tannic acid in the tea has antiviral properties. Make sure to protect the area from the sun and wind.

The cold sore virus will attack when the body is weak or stressed out - often if you are not eating right or getting enough sleep. Eating a healthy well balanced diet consisting of vegetables, fruits and lean meat keeps the immune system alert and active. Plenty of rest and a good sleeping pattern also boosts the immune system and prevents cold sores.