Cold sores – The disease and its remedy
Cold sores are tiny fluid filled blisters that develop around the
mouth and adjacent region, which are painful and are due to a virus.
Cold sores are tiny fluid filled blisters that develop around the mouth
and adjacent region, which are painful and are due to a virus. The body
defense mechanism is not able to eradicate totally the virus from the
body. That is the main reason of it recurrence.
Herpes simplex virus is known to be the cause of the cold sores which
are of two types, type I and type II. Cold sores are generated by the
virus type I. This virus is contagious and spreads through kissing,
close contact and by using same clothing of an infected person. The
blister stage is the most harmful because the contagious effect is high.
A patient of cold sore is apt to transmit the virus at any stage of the
infection. The virus stays in the body in a dormant position for some
time and again erupts affecting the skin. There are certain conditions
which ease the process of recurrence of this virus. The conditions are
generally in fever, cold, flu, exposure to sun, stress, weak immune
system, hormonal changes and trauma of the skin. The recurrences of cold
sores happen exactly at the same site of the skin. Symptoms of cold
sores start to give indications before the appearance of cold sores. The
involvement of a burning or tingling ling sensation is the main symptoms
before the appearance of cold sores. They appear as red and grow up into
fluid filled blisters. The small blisters develop into one big blister
sometimes and become utterly painful. They remain as per the intensity
of infection and dry up gradually leaving scabs on the skin. The
medical care is not always desired in an attack of cold sores. Some
people have rapid recurrences of cold sores and need doctors medication
to reduce the severity or the times of recurrences. The first time
occurrence is generally of severe type with condition of fever, inflamed
glands, bleeding gums and painful sores in the region of the mouth. The
condition remains for some days and the blisters get dried up within six
weeks. When the scars heal up, the virus is still there in a dormant
stage. In case of severe attack a doctor should be immediately consulted
for taking needful care of the patient. The improper food and drink
during the period may turn the patient dehydrated, which is to be
medically treated. Persons with poor immune system due to other
diseases or those who have gone under chemotherapy may face severe
attacks of cold sores and need prompt medical management to tackle
further complications. Simplex virus can not or does not affect the
brain. Persons with a severe attack should be hospitalized and treated
for viral attacks. Some people develop skin lumps in legs with the
attack of cold sores. This condition goes away within six weeks but the
concerned patient should see a doctor promptly to get an early recovery.
The diagnosis is done on the appearance of cold sores and no
pathological test is usually required in cold sores. There are routine
test for viral culture for which a swab is put on a blister to take the
fluid for the test. It is better to send the person to a doctor to get
the diagnosis done authentically and if required the lesions may be
tested clinically. Treatment of cold sores may be started at home. The
patient should wash both the hands very often because he has been
touching the face and the region of the mouth on the blisters. He should
have separate utensils for his food and drink. Cold compress with ice
may be given to relive pain. The medical treatment is mainly aimed to
reduce the duration of the symptoms and the intensity of discomfort.
Medications include some topical ointments or creams and a few oral
medicaments prescribed by a doctor. |
