August 28, 2009
Cold Sore Symptoms - Suffering Effects of Cold Sores
Cold sore symptoms - are they hurting you? In this superb article you will see the different symptoms of cold sores. Now you can know for sure what to expect.
I want to share with you the cold sore symptoms that folks most often get. It is likely you will find your symptoms are quite similar.
Here are the five cold sore symptoms you will likely experience.
1. YOUR EARLY SIGNS OF PENDING COLD SORES.
Your first alarm of coming cold sores is very mild. You may miss it at first. It might include a slight tingling, itching or burning.
Your target site may even feel dry or chapped.
You are sensing the virus movement. The herpes simplex virus is moving to the surface along a nerve. This virus will infect the surface cells once it gets there.
You will enjoy instant relief by applying ice or other cold object. Ice is a terrific cold sore treatment that can often prevent cold sores from developing further.
2. SUDDENLY YOU SEE RED PAINFUL BUMPS AND RAPID SWELLING.
After the itching, you may notice some hard little red bumps will suddenly appear. You will also experience a lot of swelling as the cells become stuffed with new virus. Keep using ice to reduce pain and swelling.
It is common now for you to get headaches and possibly a mild fever. Also, your under-jaw lymph glands could painfully swell as your body deals with the virus infection.
3. YOUR COLD SORES APPEAR AS THE CELLS RUPTURE.
Your affected cells shatter, releasing the new virus particles. All this destroyed tissue forms an open sore. Your body then creates a cleansing fluid.
Nerve endings are damaged and exposed because all oral herpes cold sores form on the end of nerve fibers.
The weeping fluid contains hoards of new virus particles looking to infect a new site - on you or someone else.
4. THE DAMAGE IS DONE - YOUR HEALING BEGINS.
When the cold sores break open, healing begins. Your chosen cold sore treatment methods will affect the speed of your healing.
Once healing starts, you should quit using ice. Use heat instead by applying warm tea bags. Tea contains amazing healing properties.
You will get a protective crust right away. But the crust can become dry and split. This slows healing - and it hurts quite a lot.
To keep the scab soft and prevent cracking, saturate the scab with olive oil. It will really speed healing.
5. YOUR FINAL HEALING PERIOD.
Your scab will usually last about a week. Fresh new skin will reveal itself once the scab disappears.
Please - you are still contagious so use caution.
Your new skin will appear a bit pinkish. Virus activity and healing continues. You can be contagious until the skin again appears normal.
Your final healing period may take several more days. Yes, it is quite frustrating. You must still take care as you still can cause a new infection.
Cold sores can come back quickly during this time. The herpes virus grabs any weakness you provide so maintain your cold sore treatment.
These are the five cold sore symptoms you will experience. Of course, yours may be slightly different. If they are a lot different, see a health professional.
And the great news is that you do not have to suffer these symptoms at all. There are some amazing cold sore treatment methods now discovered that can prevent cold sore symptoms entirely.
You will find that preventing cold sore symptoms can be quite simple actually. Try a few cold sore treatment tactics - I guarantee you will find the one perfect for your needs.
Filed under Beauty Skin Care by Guest Author
