A Cold Sore: Causes and Preventions.
A cold sore is a patch of tiny blisters or a single blister on or around the lips which are filled with fluid. These are a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). They usually subside within about 7 days with or without treatment. HSV is a dormant virus which might become frequently active in some people, might be active very rarely in some (like once in a lifetime or so), or might never come up at all. In cases where it comes active frequently (about twice or thrice a year), it is actually triggered by some factors every time it comes up. Such factors vary from person to person like some injury to the affected area, some allergy, etc. The cold sore infection is highly contagious and is spread through close direct contact.
In rare and severe cases where very young people are affected with the virus and find it difficult to take in any kind of fluid due to the cold sore blisters, dehydration results. In further severe cases, the HSV might develop secondary infections and spread to other body parts like fingers etc. It is advisable to avoid direct or close contact with others, especially those with a weak immune system, to prevent spreading the virus and getting others infected. Though the infection subsides on its own within a week or so, there are medicated creams with antiviral properties which address the issue effectively and generally found over the counter.
However, prevention is always better than cure and if the causes are known explicitly, it becomes easy to avoid such infections and various other forms of health concerns.
Tips for Prevention:
- Mouth or lip injuries should be avoided or taken care of in view to be alert against any kind of infections affecting the injured area, in this case, the Herpes Simplex Virus.
- Excessive exposure to sun’s UV rays often damages the skin in more than one ways. So sun blocks or lip balms are an effective aid to help against harmful effects and unseen infectious viruses.
- Weakened immune system is always a way to infections. To avoid infections like the HSV special care of the lips and mouth should be taken during fever, cold, flu or such illnesses.
- Cold temperatures, like over exposure to sun, may also be harmful and to be safe from infections like the HSV, care should be taken , specially os the lips and mouth during cold weathers.
- Stress and tiredness might also sometimes become a cause for such infections. Relaxation, diet, exercise and sound sleep is a good style of life to take care against any such infections and overall health.
In rare and severe cases where very young people are affected with the virus and find it difficult to take in any kind of fluid due to the cold sore blisters, dehydration results. In further severe cases, the HSV might develop secondary infections and spread to other body parts like fingers etc. It is advisable to avoid direct or close contact with others, especially those with a weak immune system, to prevent spreading the virus and getting others infected. Though the infection subsides on its own within a week or so, there are medicated creams with antiviral properties which address the issue effectively and generally found over the counter.
However, prevention is always better than cure and if the causes are known explicitly, it becomes easy to avoid such infections and various other forms of health concerns.
Tips for Prevention:
- Mouth or lip injuries should be avoided or taken care of in view to be alert against any kind of infections affecting the injured area, in this case, the Herpes Simplex Virus.
- Excessive exposure to sun’s UV rays often damages the skin in more than one ways. So sun blocks or lip balms are an effective aid to help against harmful effects and unseen infectious viruses.
- Weakened immune system is always a way to infections. To avoid infections like the HSV special care of the lips and mouth should be taken during fever, cold, flu or such illnesses.
- Cold temperatures, like over exposure to sun, may also be harmful and to be safe from infections like the HSV, care should be taken , specially os the lips and mouth during cold weathers.
- Stress and tiredness might also sometimes become a cause for such infections. Relaxation, diet, exercise and sound sleep is a good style of life to take care against any such infections and overall health.
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