Cold Sore Facts and Cold Sore Tips
Having a cold sore is not uncommon. In fact, many people have cold sores every year, and there’s no need to be afraid or anxious when you have one. Yes, herpes and cold sores are caused by the same virus, but that doesn’t mean you have a sexually transmitted disease. There is no cure for the herpes and cold sore virus, but it’s also true that there’s no real cure for a cold, either.
The following facts and figures about cold sores will help put them into perspective.
• Almost 40 million people suffer from cold sores every year.
• Most get cold sores on their lips or around their mouths.
• Cold sores can appear on their own, or you may experience another illness and cold sore combination. This includes having a cold or other infection, getting sun burnt, being under stress, being fatigued, or having a fever. Women may experience their period and cold sores together.
When you get a cold sore, you’ll first feel some itching or tingling. Next, the area will swell up, and a lesion will appear. It will ooze, then dry out and be covered by a yellow scab. This scab will them slowly vanish. The entire process may take about ten days. A cold sore will go away on its own, but you can help the process by using specific creams and other treatments.
Cold sores may vanish more quickly if you use lip balm, aloe vera gels, or if you take vitamin C supplements.
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