Cold sores, or fever blisters, are lesions filled with fluid caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1. While not caused by the same strand that causes genital herpes, cold sores are a form of herpes. Cold sores are very common, with an estimated 80 percent of the American population having been exposed to the virus. Although the virus itself is quite common, cold sores demonstrate themselves to be quite different in each person.
Symptoms of Cold Sores
Perhaps the most significant difference in cold sores is whether symptoms actually appear or not. The National Institute of Health reports that most people are infected with HSV-1 by the age of 20. Although most people have contracted HSV-1, for some the disease stays dormant, never demonstrating symptoms.
Factors Triggering Outbreak
The cause of a cold sore outbreak can vary with each individual. Cold sores appear for a number of reasons, including infection, fever, stress, hormonal changes, food and certain medications. Different factors may trigger cold sore outbreaks, while the primary cause is not known, it appears to coincide to times when the immune system is weakened or compromised.
Location of Cold Sores
Although cold sores tend to manifest themselves in a similar manner, they may appear on different locations. Cold sores tend to send signals prior to their arrival. One to two days Prior to the cold sores appearance, it is common to experience tingling, itching or burning in the area it will appear; this sensation is called prodrome. The affected area forms a red bump, which blisters and forms the cold sore. The sore lasts two to three days, crusts over and then heals.
While cold sores all have the same general appearance, they differ in where they may appear on the body. The most common location for cold sores to appear is the lips. However, cold sores also may appear on the nostrils, chin, fingers and the inside of the mouth.
