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What Causes Multiple Cold Sores At Once
Cold sores, or fever blisters, are caused by a type of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Herpes viruses cause lifelong infections that can lie dormant in your body for years before cold sores appear.
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Although cold sores usually form on or inside your mouth, they can also develop on your cheeks, nose, and eyes.
90 percent of adults have HSV. 50 percent of people experience this condition by the time they are in kindergarten. Not everyone will develop symptomatic cold sores.
If you feel an unexplained tingling sensation around your mouth, you may have a cold. Tingling is usually one of the first signs that a cold sore will develop on the surface of the skin. The area may also burn or itch.
Treating cold sores during the tingling phase can reduce their severity and duration, but it will not prevent sores from forming. Oral medications are most useful during this phase. This medication can also be used daily to prevent or limit outbreaks.
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If you rarely get cold sores, you may find topical treatments helpful. Some of these topical treatments include:
Showed that in the laboratory, aloe vera gel had antiviral activity against HSV. This may mean that aloe vera can also be an effective topical treatment.
If you get frequent cold sores or prefer to take oral medication, talk to your doctor. They can set one of the following:
If this level of cold sores is painful or bothersome, you can take an OTC pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Creams containing lidocaine or benzocaine may also provide relief.
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About a day or two after feeling the initial tingling phase, your cold sore will usually transition into the blistering phase. This is when one or more blisters filled with clear fluid appear on the surface of the skin. The skin around and under the blister will be red. Blisters may appear in or around your mouth, including your throat.
You may already be using pain relievers, oral medications, or topical creams to reduce cold sore symptoms. Apart from this treatment, you should also increase your water intake. Staying hydrated is important especially when you have a sore mouth.
Once a cold sore appears on the surface of your skin, it can easily spread. Wash your hands with warm water and soap after touching the affected area and avoid sharing food or drink during this time. Kissing and oral sex can also spread the virus, so be careful. You should limit sexual contact until the blisters are completely gone.
Blisters and the stages that follow them can also cause discomfort while eating. You should avoid certain foods, such as:
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Usually within a few days of appearing on the surface of your skin, a cold sore will burst. Open wounds will be red and sore. They are most contagious right now.
If you haven't already, consider using topical or oral pain relievers to help ease your symptoms. You can also use cold or hot compresses.
Avoid picking at sores. Lifting can worsen or spread the condition. It can also cause bacterial skin infections.
After the crying phase, your blisters will dry out. This initiates the blister stage. When blisters dry out, they will appear yellow or brown. You should be careful not to make the blisters worse.
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The final stage of cold sores is the healing stage. This is when blisters become sores. To keep wounds soft and reduce irritation, try using an emollient containing zinc oxide or aloe vera.
If you only get cold sores infrequently, home remedies may be enough to ease the discomfort and speed up the healing process. But if you have a common cold, you should see your doctor for a prescription. This can help limit the frequency and severity of your boils. It is also important to use lip balm with added sunscreen.
HSV is most contagious when a cold sore opens and does not heal. However, the virus can also spread before or after the sores appear.
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Our experts are constantly monitoring the health and wellness space, and we update our articles as new information becomes available. Clinically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — by Jessica Caporcio, Pharm.D. On January 15, 2020
Cold sores, also known as herpes labialis, are caused by the non-genital herpes simplex virus type 1. People may get cold sores on their lips or mouth.
Transmission of nongenital herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) occurs during childhood through nonsexual contact, but adults can become infected through sexual activity. HSV-1 hibernates in skin cells and neurons under the skin until a trigger excites it.
Before cold sores appear, people may feel a burning, stinging, or itching sensation on their lips. For best results, doctors recommend starting treatment as soon as the itching starts, before cold sores appear.
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In this article, we discuss the stages of cold sores and what to do if a cold sore develops. We also explore how doctors treat infections and how people can prevent cold sores.
At first, people will feel tingling, itching, or burning under the skin around the mouth or bridge of the nose. Doctors call this the prodrome stage.
In the first stage of this cold, people will not see blisters. People with repeated cold sores may show mild symptoms. Doctors recommend starting treatment as soon as these symptoms start.
Treatment for cold sores may include oral or topical medications. Sometimes people will use both types to treat cold sores.
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Researchers found that higher doses and shorter courses of valacyclovir can shorten the duration of cold sores by about 1 day.
If the person is not on any medication, fluid-filled blisters may appear about 1 to 2 days after the initial symptoms.
The third stage, which occurs around day 4, involves the opening of the cyst and release of its fluid. Doctors call this stage the ulcer or weeping stage. If other people come in contact with the blister fluid, they may also get cold sores.
Between 5 and 8 days, cold sores will dry up, leaving a yellow or brown crust. The blister will eventually peel off.
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Some blisters may form and peel during this stage. Each new ulcer will get smaller and smaller until the wound is completely healed. Often, cold sores do not leave scars.
People who come into contact with other people's cold sores may be at risk of infection. However, when blisters are broken they need to be exposed to liquid.
Some people may experience frequent cold sores. According to the American Family Physician (AAP), various stimuli can awaken hibernating viruses, such as:
When cold sores enter the ulcer or weeping stage, around the fourth day, cold sores become contagious.
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People who come in contact with fluid from other people's open sores can develop cold sores anywhere from 2 to 20 days after exposure.
People can come into contact with fluid from other people's cold sores through kissing or sharing utensils, drinking utensils, cosmetics or towels.
Doctors suggest that treating cold sores at the onset of symptoms, before blisters develop, can prevent cold sores from appearing.
People with a history of cold sores can usually detect early symptoms and know they need to start treatment right away.
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Some people get cold sores and may need preventative treatment. Taking acyclovir or valacyclovir daily can prevent cold sores.
People should avoid close contact with people who have cold sores. Avoid sharing utensils, toothbrushes, towels and razors.
People with cold sores should avoid touching the blisters, and if they do, they should wash their hands thoroughly.
Cold sores are a common non-genital HSV-1 infection that can be contracted through sexual and non-sexual activity.
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People who start treatment when they feel tingling and itching around their lips can prevent cold sores from appearing.
If a cold sore appears, it will go through five stages from the prodrome stage to recovery. During the sore stage, people can transmit the virus to others. The fluid in the cyst contains the virus. People with cold sores should avoid kissing and sharing utensils, towels, and drinking utensils.
A person can have cold sores for about 2 weeks, but some doctors suggest that cold sores can last up to 6 weeks. Medicines can help shorten the duration of cold sores.
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