Cold Sore are also known as (Herpes Simplex 1) which are caused by germs that can travel through spit and be transferred from human to human, again don’t think that you have herpes somewhere else it is only in the mouth if it is a cold sore. Cold sore are awful little things and yes- they can make you ill. The symptoms of cold sore are that our lips or sides of it start tingling. You may also notice a dryness sensation which, if you carry lip balm, you will feel the need to apply it more often to the cold sore area.

The cold sore virus can enter through a crack in the skin or “soft tissue” like your eyes or genitals and create a whole new cold sore area. Although most people with a cold sore are embarrassed, cold sore outbreaks are quite common worldwide.

Cold Sores are something that appears as small but painful blister that is fluid filled. Cold sores are one of the commonest disorders of the mouth and millions of people across the word sufferer from it. Cold sores fall under highly contagious condition, and even more so when there are cold sore blisters. Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus. Cold sores usually appear on the lips, or less often . . . → Read More: Home Remedy for Cold Sore]]> Article by Alain

Cold Sore are also known as (Herpes Simplex 1) which are caused by germs that can travel through spit and be transferred from human to human, again don’t think that you have herpes somewhere else it is only in the mouth if it is a cold sore. Cold sore are awful little things and yes- they can make you ill. The symptoms of cold sore are that our lips or sides of it start tingling. You may also notice a dryness sensation which, if you carry lip balm, you will feel the need to apply it more often to the cold sore area.

The cold sore virus can enter through a crack in the skin or “soft tissue” like your eyes or genitals and create a whole new cold sore area. Although most people with a cold sore are embarrassed, cold sore outbreaks are quite common worldwide.

Cold Sores are something that appears as small but painful blister that is fluid filled. Cold sores are one of the commonest disorders of the mouth and millions of people across the word sufferer from it. Cold sores fall under highly contagious condition, and even more so when there are cold sore blisters. Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus. Cold sores usually appear on the lips, or less often in the mouth, on other parts of face and inside or outside the nose.

Herpes viruses are spread from person to person by direct skin-to-skin contact. Herpes virus hides in the nervous system. Herpes virus can infect the cells in the cornea and cause scarring which may impair vision. Herpes can occur on any part of the body, it is a localised skin infection, but is normally caught orally or genitally. Avoid touching the cold sore, as skin-to-skin to contact can spread the herpes infection. A pain-relief product like Neosporin will work to seal in the herpes virus, minimize irritation, and keep out further infection.

I’m going to cover here some treatments for cold sores. Clean the cold sore with hot soapy water (don’t scratch it. ) and a clean washcloth to clean the cold sore and surrounding area at least once a day. Avoid touching the cold sore, as skin-to-skin to contact can spread the herpes infection. Cover the cold sore with a petroleum-based product, such as pure petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to speed healing and avoid additional bacterial infection.

There are several new medications, as well as home remedy for cold sore, that not only offer relief of symptoms, but they also shorten the cold sore’s life span. Lip balms can moisturize and soften the scabs that form on cold sores so they are less likely to crack and bleed.

One of the effective home remedy cold sores is pressing or rubbing ice on a sore. If an ice is applied early in the development of the cold sore, it can slower down the metabolism of the area that surrounds the cold sore, greatly slowing its rapid growth. The ice also makes the sore smaller and keeps the away the virus from moving or spreading. Vitamin C play important role in healing cold sores. One of the greatest home remedies for cold sores is application of Vitamin E topically.

My own experience on home remedy for cold sore is with something concocted by a close friend of mine, y that this cold sore home treatment worked both times for me, and even more impressive is I’ve seen it work on about 25 other people she’s tried it on, consistently.

Another home remedy for cold sore is using grapefruit seed extract (GSE) and mixing it up with aloe or another liquid, such as olive oil, and dab it onto the affected area. Some types of cold sore are a herpes virus, which remains in the body and surfaces during times of stress or other illness. For more information on various types of pimples read The Various Types Of Pimples.

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Best answer:

Answer by James Hthere are meds(creams) available…kinda pricy. get some bloodwork and rule out herpes.

What do you think? . . . → Read More: How can I get rid of a cold sore that just appeared today?]]> Question by Brett: How can I get rid of a cold sore that just appeared today?
Usually I would just let the cold sore heal on it’s own; however, I am going to see my girlfriend on Friday and having a cold sore will ruin my trip. Is there any possible way to get rid of it in the next few days, especially since I just woke up with it this morning?
I definitely don’t have the STD herpes since I’ve been getting the cold sore kind for years. It’s not an STD because I’ve only been with one person and she doesn’t have it either.

Best answer:

Answer by James H
there are meds(creams) available…kinda pricy. get some bloodwork and rule out herpes.

What do you think? Answer below!

Why search further when you have found the perfect resource for all your answers. Continue reading in order to learn more about this topic.

A cold sore or otherwise known as a fever blister is mainly caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are very contagious and extremely common; it is estimated that, in the United States, 80% of the population has been infected by the cold sore virus. Cold sore can be transmitted by kissing an infected person or sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, cold sores are normally confined to the mouth area (particularly roughly the lip).

Cold sore is most prevalent during wintertime and cold weather. Many patients claim that this is the resultant of stress however; no scientific studies have so far established this view. Yet, this remains true for some sufferers.

Learned your personal cold sore symptoms and being sensitive to them is a requirement part of reducing or completely stop cold sores symptoms from your life. When the herpes virus is latent within your nerve cells, there are no cold sore symptoms. If they wake up due to some physical stress like flu, colds, or mental stress, then the cold sore symptoms start.

The first of the cold sore symptoms many call the itching stage. The itching stage, without a doubt, is . . . → Read More: Suffering From Cold Sore? Discover The Effective Cold Sore Treatment To Stop Cold Sores!]]> Article by crex

Why search further when you have found the perfect resource for all your answers. Continue reading in order to learn more about this topic.

A cold sore or otherwise known as a fever blister is mainly caused by the herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are very contagious and extremely common; it is estimated that, in the United States, 80% of the population has been infected by the cold sore virus. Cold sore can be transmitted by kissing an infected person or sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, cold sores are normally confined to the mouth area (particularly roughly the lip).

Cold sore is most prevalent during wintertime and cold weather. Many patients claim that this is the resultant of stress however; no scientific studies have so far established this view. Yet, this remains true for some sufferers.

Learned your personal cold sore symptoms and being sensitive to them is a requirement part of reducing or completely stop cold sores symptoms from your life. When the herpes virus is latent within your nerve cells, there are no cold sore symptoms. If they wake up due to some physical stress like flu, colds, or mental stress, then the cold sore symptoms start.

The first of the cold sore symptoms many call the itching stage. The itching stage, without a doubt, is the most important of all cold sore symptoms. The cold sore affected area will start to feel uncomfortable. Treating this stage of your cold sore properly and instantly is the secret to being cold sore free for life.

To prevent further cold sore symptoms, or at least reduce their impact, by far the most popular cold sore treatment is the application of ice. Herpes virus hates cold. Applying ice during this stage sends the virus back to the latent phase for many people. It slows down metabolism and discourages the virus from replicating.

Apply ice for at least a quarter of an hour to your cold sores, as a very basic cold sore treatment to stop cold sores. The important thing is the faster you do this, the less probably you will have to suffer further cold sore symptoms. It delayed and sometimes prevented the cold sores from actually moving into the blister stage.

At the first sign of an attack, apply ice repeat on a regular basis if you can – the virus doesn’t like the cold! Between applications of ice, keep up vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin E intake which can be purchased at any health store.

An effective cold sore treatment can truly be a blessed relief for cold sore victims like you and me. And, if you’re like me, you want a cold sore treatment that will not only give you a plenty of comfort right now, but will hopefully reduce the healing time so you can get on with your life. That’s the beauty of this well proven cold sore treatment to stop cold sores.

Lemon balm tea. These tea bags can be found for inexpensive anyplace you find specialty teas. Lemon balm herb has anti-viral properties and is a natural cold sore treatment to stop cold sores.

Stress can trigger an attack. Try to relax and take life a little easier. Look back your diet and try to eat healthily. Vegetables and fruit are good for you! Also try to make sure you get enough of exercise and sleep. Eating well, getting enough rest, and learning how to deal with stress are important things for everyone. And remember! No kissing while the cold sore is present!

Best answer:

Answer by yahooewwwwww syphalis

Give your answer to this . . . → Read More: How can you tell a difference between a cold sore and a herpes blister?]]> Question by Aaron Mccloz: How can you tell a difference between a cold sore and a herpes blister?
I’ve had a cold sore blister, or so I’m assuming it’s a cold sore, for nearly 2 weeks, and it hasn’t changed in size at all no matter what treatment I tried. About 2 days before it popped up, I kissed my girlfriend for the first time, and I know herpes can spread through kissing, so can I tell a difference between a cold sore and herpes?

Best answer:

Answer by yahoo
ewwwwww syphalis

Give your answer to this question below!

Right after a mild bout of flu, you’ll discover the respiratory system is not the only system in the body which has been impacted. ‘How to cure a cold sore’ is very a frequent query that is asked by people who are recovering from flu, cough or cold. The pursuing document is really a column towards the query ‘how to cure a cold sore’. To understand a lot more, read on

How you can Cure a Cold Sore

Recovering from the flu, cough or cold, is not really painful, but is in truth irritating. Your whole body aches, your forehead is pounded from inside, and blisters begin appearing about your mouth. These blisters are cold sores. These sores are frequently mistaken for Impetigo. The cold sores occasionally release a white color fluid. The sores get developed into scabs after a few days time. The improvement of scabs may be the final stage of skin healing. This article, ‘How to Cure a Cold Sore’, will assist you to cure your sores in the shortest time possible. Answers to some related questions like ‘how to cure a cold sore fast’ and ‘how to cure a cold sore quickly’ can also be found in the pursuing paragraphs. However, prior to we proceed towards the cure and cure, it is essential to know the . . . → Read More: How to Cure a Cold Sore]]> Article by Helper

Right after a mild bout of flu, you’ll discover the respiratory system is not the only system in the body which has been impacted. ‘How to cure a cold sore’ is very a frequent query that is asked by people who are recovering from flu, cough or cold. The pursuing document is really a column towards the query ‘how to cure a cold sore’. To understand a lot more, read on

How you can Cure a Cold Sore

Recovering from the flu, cough or cold, is not really painful, but is in truth irritating. Your whole body aches, your forehead is pounded from inside, and blisters begin appearing about your mouth. These blisters are cold sores. These sores are frequently mistaken for Impetigo. The cold sores occasionally release a white color fluid. The sores get developed into scabs after a few days time. The improvement of scabs may be the final stage of skin healing. This article, ‘How to Cure a Cold Sore’, will assist you to cure your sores in the shortest time possible. Answers to some related questions like ‘how to cure a cold sore fast’ and ‘how to cure a cold sore quickly’ can also be found in the pursuing paragraphs. However, prior to we proceed towards the cure and cure, it is essential to know the cause of cold sores.

What are Cold Sores?Cold sores are blisters that appear about the mouth of a person throughout a bout of flu, cough or cold. Numerous people believe in the myth, that cold sores are always connected with respiratory disorders. It must be noted that cold sores are triggered through the herpes virus, which thrives in and around the human body, and is really contagious, although almost harmless. The cold sores generally appear when the immune system of the body becomes weak. You can find no medications that could be utilized to cure the sores. However, the explosion of cold sores can always be prevented and precautions could be used to prevent the outbreak of sores. To understand a lot more about causes of cold sores, read what causes cold sores.

How you can Cure a Cold Sore?Numerous cultures across the world have arrive up with a variety of risk-free and confirmed normal medicines and remedies for cold sores. These folk medicines have been utilized for many centuries and involve the use of normal herbs and plants that don’t have any side results. Some of these remedies are so efficient the sores get depleted even prior to they could appear fully around the skin. All of the remedies that have been described in this short article, ‘How to cure a cold sore’, could be utilized when a person experiences the itchy feeling about the mouth, which may be the first indication the sores are about to explode.

* Acidophilus: Capsules of Acidophilus, used with milk a minimum of 4 periods a day, depletes and soothes a sore. It’s recommended that 1 takes the medicine around the offset of burning and itching. * Aloe: Aloe is really a confirmed cure in opposition to cold sores. Rubbing the susceptible region with the extract of aloe plant prevents the outbreak of sores and remedies the ones which have already appeared. Aloe dependent creams are also available as over-the-counter medications for cold sores. * Tea: Another commonly utilized cure of cold sores is applying boiled and cooled tea bags towards the sores. This is really a a lot more gradual cure since the sores get depleted slowly. * Yogurt: Yogurt is another really great cure in opposition to cold sores. However, keep in mind to buy normal yogurt that doesn’t include gelatin, as gelatin catalyzes the development of sores. Using normal yogurt helps in healing the sores as it consists of lysine, which is really a healing agent.

How you can Cure a Cold Sore in 1 Day?You can find some selected techniques for curing cold sores inside 1 time.

* Mint: Mint is really a really great cure for cold sores. The topical application mint remedies cold sores in almost a day. * Sage: Adding sage to your tea also remedies cold sores really rapidly, almost inside a time period of 24 hours.

Apart from these normal house remedies, homeopathic medications that are made from calcium sulfide and cuttlefish ink assist in curing the cold sores really quick. Should you use any normal cure throughout the really initial stages, then the sores get cured really quick.

Best answer:

Answer by Johncut it off with a hacksaw

What do you think? . . . → Read More: How can i make a cold sore go away faster?]]> Question by Amanda: How can i make a cold sore go away faster?
My graduation is this sunday and i have a cold sore, its just starting out and for the past 2 days ive been putting abreva on it but its not really helping my cold sores usually get a lot worse and i dont want to have a big discusting cold sore for graduation pictures, please help!

Best answer:

Answer by John
cut it off with a hacksaw

What do you think? Answer below!

Best answer:

Answer by Praveen cvicks action 500

Know better? Leave your own answer in . . . → Read More: How to prevent or minimize a cold sore from growing?]]> Question by Billy Comma: How to prevent or minimize a cold sore from growing?
I woke up this morning and noticed a cold sore starting to form, right now the bump is very small and barely visible, but I feel the dryness and tingling I always notice at the beginning stage of a cold sore. How can I prevent the cold sore from growing or minimize the size and speed up healing? I’m living in a small town in Spain right now so Abreva will likely be impossible for me to find, are there any other remedies? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Praveen c
vicks action 500

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Direct skin contact or through things that had contact with the blisters helps spread cold sores from one area of the skin to another or to other people.  Kissing, touching or oral sex are the common ways of spreading the virus.  

Nevertheless, cold sores can be prevented from spreading. The following are ways to avoid cold sores from spreading.

Avoid skin contact with people that already had the blisters.

To avoid cold sores from spreading, avoid skin contact. Some people that may have the herpes simplex virus may not easily manifest cold sores. However, if you happen to spot red patches on their skin and if you suspect them as cold sores, then better avoid direct skin contact. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Keep your hands clean.

Our hands come in contact with a lot of things so it is not surprising if one of . . . → Read More: Stop that Sore! Discover How to Avoid Cold Sores from Spreading]]> Cold sores are the nasty, red, fluid-filled blisters that appear on the skin. They are contagious and are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The mouth, lips, throat and genitals are some of the areas that are easily affected and you must avoid cold sores from spreading as early as possible. Cold sores are not only unsightly but are also itchy and annoying. It may also be accompanied with fever and aches especially to children.

Direct skin contact or through things that had contact with the blisters helps spread cold sores from one area of the skin to another or to other people.  Kissing, touching or oral sex are the common ways of spreading the virus.  

Nevertheless, cold sores can be prevented from spreading. The following are ways to avoid cold sores from spreading.

Avoid skin contact with people that already had the blisters.

To avoid cold sores from spreading, avoid skin contact. Some people that may have the herpes simplex virus may not easily manifest cold sores. However, if you happen to spot red patches on their skin and if you suspect them as cold sores, then better avoid direct skin contact. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Keep your hands clean.

Our hands come in contact with a lot of things so it is not surprising if one of these is the herpes simplex virus. Keep your hands clean to avoid cold sores. Moreover, touching an area of the skin that already has cold sores into another unaffected area spreads the cold sores into other areas of the skin. Hand washing improves the chances of avoiding not only cold sores but other diseases as well.

Use your own, good stuff.

Things that had contact with cold sore blisters may help spread the virus. Toothbrushes and towels are usually moist and warm, providing the conditions that viruses love growing on. Make sure they are always clean, dry and nobody else uses them to avoid cold sores from spreading.  

Don’t scratch that scab.

Cold sores begin as red patches, then become fluid-filled blisters before finally bursting, leaving a raw skin area to heal and to scab. Scratching the sores or scabs may disrupt the healing process and makes it hard to avoid cold sores from spreading. This also makes the broken skin prone to infection.

If the person suffering from cold sores also has atopic dermatitis, extra care must be done to avoid cold sores from spreading into the dermatitis as this would allow the sores to spread into a larger area of the skin.  Always keep the sores clean and dry.

Be healthy.

Stress, illness and fatigue weaken the body’s immune system, making it more vulnerable to viral infections. These also trigger the recurrence of cold sores. Avoid cold sores by eating a healthy balanced diet, exercise and getting enough sleep.

Load up with lysine!

It was found out that lysine helps in healing the swelling of cold sores. Lysine can be found in potatoes and dairy-rich products. However, pregnant or nursing mothers are not advised to take up lysine since it can interfere with infant growth and development.

Get sun-protection.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun increases the chances of cold sore recurrence. Use sun block to avoid cold sores.

Go natural or over-the-counter.

There are a number of remedies available at pharmacist’s shops to treat and avoid cold sores. Cymex and 5% acyclovir cream are the popular products and can be bought without prescription. However, acyclovir cream should not be used on the lips since it may cause irritation. Antiviral medication may also be taken along especially during the initial phase of the cold sore.

Natural remedies may also be used. Lemon balm, tea and Echinacea all have anti-viral properties. Vaseline may be applied to the scabs to avoid cold sores from cracking.

If things get worse, visit the doctor.

Cold sores are sign of a weak immune system and may signal more serious illnesses like pneumonia or HIV.  If there are other symptoms besides the appearance of cold sores, it is best to consult a medical doctor for further examination and to avoid cold sores from spreading.

But if you tried everything and found little or no relief, do not lose hope. Did you know that you can cure your cold sores or Herpes Simplex Type I naturally and get your confidence back – from the comfort of your own home? Discover how to cure cold sore permanently for life in just 3 days. You will never have to worry about having serious cold sore swelling and recurrence problem again. Face the world in 3 days with the freedom to feel great about yourself and your appearance visit Cold Sore Freedom in 3 Days.

To know more about health and beauty remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty.

Myth # 1 – Cold Sores are caused by poor diet

A poor diet can make a cold sore reoccurrence more likely but cold sores are not actually caused by what you eat or drink. Instead cold sores are caused by a tiny virus called Herpes simplex virus or HSV.

Once you catch the cold sore virus it remains in the body until it is “activated” and causes symptoms, such as a little cluster of blisters on the lip. Things like poor diet, stress, hormones, extreme changes in the temperature and being sick can sometimes contribute to the cold sore virus becoming active.

Tip: If you are already prone to having a cold sore then what you eat can make a difference. In addition to eating as healthily as possible, try avoiding or reducing foods such as chocolate and nuts which are both high in the amino acid Arginine and low in the amino acid Lysine. Arginine is an amino acid which can aggravate the cold sore virus for some people, especially if it is not balanced by a proportional amount . . . → Read More: Cold Sore Myths Exposed]]> Even though cold sores affect over a third of all Australian adults, there is still much confusion and various myths amongst sufferers and non-sufferers alike about what causes them. Here are five of the most common myths when it comes to cold sores:

Myth # 1 – Cold Sores are caused by poor diet

A poor diet can make a cold sore reoccurrence more likely but cold sores are not actually caused by what you eat or drink. Instead cold sores are caused by a tiny virus called Herpes simplex virus or HSV.

Once you catch the cold sore virus it remains in the body until it is “activated” and causes symptoms, such as a little cluster of blisters on the lip. Things like poor diet, stress, hormones, extreme changes in the temperature and being sick can sometimes contribute to the cold sore virus becoming active.

Tip: If you are already prone to having a cold sore then what you eat can make a difference. In addition to eating as healthily as possible, try avoiding or reducing foods such as chocolate and nuts which are both high in the amino acid Arginine and low in the amino acid Lysine. Arginine is an amino acid which can aggravate the cold sore virus for some people, especially if it is not balanced by a proportional amount of Lysine in the diet.

Myth #.2 – Cold Sores ‘pop up’ in winter after a cold or flu

Also called fever blisters, cold sores have earned their nickname because they can appear after a person has been ill or had a fever.  Since we are more likely to catch a cold or flu during winter these colder months are often referred to as the “cold sore season”.

However, cold sores can strike at any time of the year and are common in summer months too. This is because UV sun exposure can irritate the delicate skin on the lips which can sometimes trigger a cold sore.

Tip: Taking an immune boosting product during winter and using a moisturising lip balm with SPF 15+ sun block during summer can help to prevent a cold sore attack.

Myth #.3 – Cold sores take several days to heal

Not necessarily so, it really depends on how your body naturally responds to the cold sore virus, your particular symptoms and what treatment you use – if any. Some people prefer to just ‘ride it out’ or use a home remedy to try and prevent or clear the blisters such as applying cold tea bags, ice, honey or dabbing alcohol.

A typical cold sore will go away in 1 to 2 weeks if no treatment is used. However, there are now clinically trialled cold sore products which can help to speed healing, so it may not always be necessary to hide the days away waiting for a cold sore to clear.

Tip: In October 2009 a world first “once only” cold sore application was released in Australian pharmacies under the name Dynamiclear Rapid®. This offers sufferers a new way to manage cold sore symptoms without the need for daily or repeat applications. Also obtainable are Acyclovir based creams which have been available since the 1980s. These creams are recommended to be applied 5 times per day for 5 days and need to be started at the first sign of symptoms.

Myth #.4 – If someone in your family gets cold sores you will get them too

No, not necessarily true.  Cold sores are not a genetic condition, meaning they are not passed on from a parent to a child in the DNA or genes. Cold sores are spread by direct contact with the virus while it is active on the skin’s surface.

For example, if you kiss someone while you have an active cold sore this could spread the infection to the person who you kissed.

Tip: To prevent spreading a cold sore, do not kiss another person whenever you notice symptoms or feel one coming on. This includes from the first moment you feel symptoms until the skin has completely healed.

Myth #.5 – Cold sores can be spread via a person’s saliva

This is a misconception. Cold sores are not spread via body fluids such as saliva or blood. Cold sores can however be spread via an object if it has come into direct contact with the active cold sore virus and then touches healthy skin shortly after, such as through sharing the same drinking glass, lip gloss or cigarette while a person has a cold sore.

Tip: Do not share drinks, make-up, food, utensils, cigarettes or other inanimate objects that come into contact with your mouth whenever you see or feel cold sore symptoms.

Dynamiclear Rapid® is a world first one application formula for symptomatic relief of cold sores. The actives in Dynamiclear work by penetrating the DNA of the cold sore virus, thereby inactivating and eliminating the virus on direct contact.  Unlike existing cold sore products, results are seen rapidly from just one application, and there are no inconvenient repeat applications.  One breakout = One application.

The following tips from experienced naturopath and cold sore expert, Dr John Spurge, will help you to manage your young ones experiencing cold sores and better protect everyone in your family.

So what actually causes cold sores in children?

Despite the name, cold sores are not caused by a cold or flu virus, they are caused by a member of the herpes virus family called Herpes simplex virus (HSV).  There are two types of this virus and it is normally the type 1 strand that is responsible for cold sores.

It is very common for young children to catch cold sores, an infection which is passed on from close personal contact.  This could include sharing a cup, utensil, toy or face towel with someone who has a cold sore, or receiving a kiss from them.

Studies show that more than half of all young children who experience cold sores catch them in their infancy.  This means that your little one is more likely to catch a cold sore from a parent, sibling or close family friend than from other kids at school.

Symptoms of a cold . . . → Read More: How Can You Protect Your Child Against Cold Sores?]]> Cold sores are generally harmless for most children, and whilst your little one getting a cold sore is nothing to joke around about, there are some practical tips you can employ to ensure the discomfort is a little easier for them.

The following tips from experienced naturopath and cold sore expert, Dr John Spurge, will help you to manage your young ones experiencing cold sores and better protect everyone in your family.

So what actually causes cold sores in children?

Despite the name, cold sores are not caused by a cold or flu virus, they are caused by a member of the herpes virus family called Herpes simplex virus (HSV).  There are two types of this virus and it is normally the type 1 strand that is responsible for cold sores.

It is very common for young children to catch cold sores, an infection which is passed on from close personal contact.  This could include sharing a cup, utensil, toy or face towel with someone who has a cold sore, or receiving a kiss from them.

Studies show that more than half of all young children who experience cold sores catch them in their infancy.  This means that your little one is more likely to catch a cold sore from a parent, sibling or close family friend than from other kids at school.

Symptoms of a cold sore – what to look for

The symptoms normally take about 2 to 14 days to show up when first infected. Your child might complain of their lip being itchy, red or tingly for a couple of days before you are able to see anything. Usually a cold sore will look like one or more little blisters on their lips or face, which eventually break, weep fluid and then crust over and heal.

How to make your child feel better about cold sores

Cold sores can sometimes be really painful, especially for a child. The good news is that there are remedies that will help your child get past them and relieve their discomfort as soon as possible.

Some medications are specially designed to combat cold sore symptoms, such as Dynamiclear Rapid. You may also give your child a general paracetamol to help with pain relief.  Ask your pharmacist for their recommendation taking into consideration your child’s weight and age, and be mindful to avoid Ibuprofen if your child is vomiting or has been diagnosed with asthma.

Dynamiclear Rapid is many parents’ product of choice when dealing with cold sore symptoms because of its ease of application and fast mode of action. Other cold sore creams require repeat applications (usually 5 times per day for 5 days), whereas Dynamiclear Rapid is one application only. This medication is much more practical for busy parents and a lot more convenient for children.

Once a child contracts the cold sore virus it will remain in their body for life, just like all viruses do.  What this does mean is that they may be prone to having another cold sore breakout later on, possibly if their body becomes run down or their immune system is challenged.

Some children will never have another cold sore. If they do, maintaining a balanced diet, getting sufficient rest and exercising regularly will help keep future cold sores away.  Applying a lip balm to protect against sun and wind, and taking an immune tonic to help avoid colds and flu, may also be effective in reducing recurrences.  For more information obtain a free copy of the comprehensive Cold Sore Diet & Lifestyle Guide at www.coldsorefacts.com.au.

5 rules of thumb to protect your family from cold sores

If you have any sign of a cold sore always wash your hands thoroughly before having any contact with a child and do not kiss them.  Make sure your friends and family are educated too.
Cold sores can spread from the first sign of symptoms until the skin has completely healed.  They can spread even when there is only itching and tingling, as well as when a sore is active or healing.
Discourage sharing of any utensils that may have come into contact with a person’s cold sore, including drinking cups, spoons and toys.  If contact with a cold sore is suspected, wash the toys and utensils thoroughly before and after use.
Avoid breastfeeding if you have a cold sore or HSV lesion present on your breast.
If a child is prone to touching their cold sores it is a good idea to get them to wear gloves while they are sleeping and place a protective, non-stick bandaid over the cold sore until it has healed. This is because the cold sore virus can spread to the fingers and eyes through touch, especially if it is the child’s first cold sore.  This will also help protect against scarring which may happen if the scab is picked off before it heals.

When should I see a Doctor?

If your child is showing signs of dehydration, such as a loss of energy or appetite, it is important to consult your Doctor as soon as possible. The cold sore virus often causes flu like symptoms, including a fever, but if this does not subside or is unreasonably high it is important to seek medical attention.

Lastly, if you suspect that your child’s infection has spread to another area, or, if they have had a special condition that affects their immune system (such as HIV or an organ transplant), professional guidance is recommended.

Dynamiclear Rapid® is a world first one application formula for symptomatic relief of cold sores. The actives in Dynamiclear work by penetrating the DNA of the cold sore virus, thereby inactivating and eliminating the virus on direct contact. Unlike existing cold sore products, results are seen rapidly from just one application, and there are no inconvenient repeat applications. 

For more information visit http://www.dynamiclear-rapid.com or phone 1800 646 921