What Causes Cold Sores and How to Treat Them?
What is a cold sore?
Also called fever blisters, cold sores are uncomfortable, and often embarrassing blemishes. They are most commonly found on the mouth and lip, but cold sores can also show up in other parts of the body like your eyes, nose, and genital area.
When a cold sore forms, the infected area tends to feel a burning and itchy sensation. Thankfully, they gradually disappear after the blistered area bursts and crusts over, and there are treatment options that can help accelerate this process.
What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1). In some instances, they can also spread from Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Cold sores are also spread from person to person by kissing and other close contacts. Even though you may not show symptoms, you can still carry the virus and unintentionally pass it along to another person.
How to prevent a cold sore
Because cold sores can be annoying, irritating, and embarrassing, many people try to avoid them, if at all possible. Here are a few ways you can help prevent cold sores:
- Get plenty of rest: A strong immune system starts with getting a good night’s sleep, so it’s important to catch enough hours of rest. This will help fight off any future infections like cold sores.
- Wear lip balm with sunscreen: A sunscreen with an SPF of 20+ will help prevent a cold sore from flaring up.
- Avoid sharing items: Since cold sores are spread by the Herpes Simplex Virus, protect yourself by saying no to sharing food with the same utensils or trying someone else's lip balm or lipstick.
How to treat cold sores?
While there is not any cure for cold sores, you can treat them to make the area feel less irritated and inflamed. To do this, apply cold pressure to the affected area. Placing a cold towel or compress on the infected area can help relieve the itching, burning, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
In addition to the previous measures that were shared, Quantum Health’s Lip Clear Lysine+® and Super Lysine+® topical cold sore medicine products can provide healing and relief from unwanted cold sores.
How Long Do Cold Sores Last?
The virus itself can be in the body for weeks, months, or even years before there’s an outbreak from the time of initial exposure, and it can take up to ten days until a cold sore is completely healed.
Lip Clear Lysine+® and Super Lysine+® topical cold sore medicine products are formulated with the finest ingredients to help with cold sore-related symptoms. As one of the leading herbal remedies for cold sores on the market, you’ll get immediate relief from painful itching and burning. Our products will also help unwanted blisters heal in half the time.
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