What is a Cold Sore and How to Deal With It?

Even after healing of cold sores outbreak the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) virus does not easily leave the nervous system. So what exactly is a cold sore?

Cold sore is oral herpes (herpes labialis) which can be difficult to deal with. It is a red, painful blister that normally appears around the lips and in the mouth. Occasionally it also can occur in cheeks, chin or finger tips. The skin around the blisters often turns red, swollen, and sore. It is also known as a fever blister. When you have cold sores in the mouth, you are likely to have oral herpes.

If it appear inside the mouth it is most likely to occur on the roof of the mouth or on the gum. However inside mouth occurrences of cold sores are rare.
Cold sores can be mistaken for many other conditions. It can be easily mistaken for canker sores. Both canker sores and cold sores are painful, annoying and difficult to deal with, but they appear differently.

Canker sores are usually open sores that grow in soft internal areas of the mouth. They are white in color. They are non contagious form of mouth ulcers. Canker sores are neither fluid filled nor are formed in clusters.

Cold sores also can be confused with acne or pimples. Acne appears as tiny bumps which are occasionally pus filled and are not contagious. Acne can be painful, but the pain roots from the inner layer of the skin, and not on the surface. Cold sores are contagious.

The cold sore virus (HSV) is very deceptive; it remains dormant for long without being detected by the immune system. When the virus senses right conditions to attack, it travels along the nerve fibers to the surface. This travel along the nerve gives a burning, tingling, and itching sensation at the target area which is a warning signal that you are most likely to get a cold sore within days.

Learn more about causes, symptoms, prevention methods and home remedies for cold sores in the other related articles:

What is a Cold Sore and How to Deal With It?

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