Cold sores, or fever blisters, are fluid-filled lesions, usually occurring on or around your mouth, caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus. HSV-1 is common; MedlinePlus notes that over half of the American population is affected, but many show no symptoms. Cold sores usually resolve by themselves. MayoClinic.com advises seeing your doctor if you have a compromised immune system, severe symptoms, frequent outbreaks, or if the infection involves the eyes. Corneal damage from HSV-1 is a leading cause of blindness in the U.S.
Symptoms
Cold sores are often preceded by a period called the prodrome, in which you might feel a tingling sensation, tenderness, itching, burning or pain in the site where the blister will emerge a day or two later. After blisters form, they break open, ooze and crust over before healing entirely. An untreated cold sore usually lasts from 10 to 14 days. In addition to the mouth area, blisters can also appear on the chin, inside the nostrils and on the fingers.
Transmission
HSV- 1 is spread by contact with another person who has an active lesion. The virus enters the body through broken skin or mucous membrane and can be transmitted via saliva though kissing. Other ways you can get HSV-1 include sharing an infected person's eating utensils, drinking glasses, lipstick, lip balm, razors, or towels, and also from receiving oral sex from someone with an active lesion. The lesion usually appears about a week after exposure. The virus lies dormant in nerve cells -- sometimes for years -- but can emerge periodically, often triggered by fever, stress, fatigue, menstruation or sun exposure.
Cold Sores and Canker Sores
Although some people confuse cold sores with canker sores, these two painful conditions are very different. Where cold sores appear as raised blisters, canker sores -- medically called apthous ulcers -- can look like depressions or small craters. Canker sores, which are not contagious, usually appear in soft tissue of the mouth, such as insides of cheeks and under the tongue. When cold sores appear inside the mouth, which is uncommon, they tend to strike the gums and the roof of the mouth.
Treatment
Cold sores can't be cured or prevented, but treatment can reduce their frequency, severity and duration. Your doctor may suggest lidocaine for pain relief and benzocaine to protect from further irritation; he may also recommend applications of ice or warm compresses. MayoClinic. com says you can take over-the-counter pain relievers as well, and adds that oral antivirals such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, if taken early enough, can shorten the duration and reduce the pain of an outbreak. In some cases of HSV-1, there will be just one acute episode, after which symptoms never reappear.
Prevention
To avoid the spread of HSV-1, avoid kissing when active cold sores are present, and don't share personal items such as toiletries and cosmetics. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, and use sunblock when you are out in the sun. Washing your hands frequently can also help prevent cold sores from spreading.
Herbal and Dietary Supplements
The University of Maryland Medical Center says there is some evidence supporting the beneficial effects of the amino acid lysine, propolis -- a resin made by bees -- and zinc oxide cream in treating cold sores. Both lemon balm and aloe vera may help soothe cold sores and promote healing.
