Top 4 FAQs about cold sores

Our body is equipped with mechanisms to combat whichever disease comes its way. However, there’s only how much the body can take, and when the immune system becomes weak, the disease begins wreaking havoc on the body. One such infection that causes great discomfort and unease are cold sores.

What are cold sores?
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a group of small blisters that appear on the surface of the lip and around the mouth. The blisters are painful, and when they burst, the liquid that oozes out of these blisters can infect any other person who comes in contact with it. The skin surrounding the blisters is red, swollen and raw, and can cause a burning sensation if it is repeatedly touched.

What causes cold sores?
Like every other skin infection, cold sores too are caused by viruses which prey on individuals with a weak immune system. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), which are of two types- HSV-1 and HSV-2.
The cold sore causing virus makes way into the body through a break in the skin and is highly contagious. Though cold sores look unpleasant, there are various 1-day cold sore treatments are considered to be one of the fastest cold sore treatments.

What are the symptoms of cold sores?
Fever, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck and pain around the lips and mouth are indicative of the onset of cold sores. People often use the term canker sores and cold sores interchangeably. Cold sores are characterized by the appearance of blisters on the mouth and lips, whereas canker sores are ulcers that appear inside the mouth and the herpes virus doesn’t cause them. So, canker sore treatments and 1-day cold sore treatments differ.

What are the popular 1-day cold sore treatments?
Cold sores, if left untreated can be the cause of immense pain that you will experience for the next few weeks. However, there are various 1-day cold sore treatments that can get rid of the cold sores in no time. They are as follows-

• In case of an outbreak of cold sores, one can seek relief from these by opting for topical creams or ointments, even over-the-counter medicines, which will be instrumental in reducing the pain and irritation caused by these cold sores.
• Various antiviral medicines are available to reduce the misery caused by cold sores. The doctor will prescribe the right antiviral medicine for you which will reduce the itching and swelling caused by the cold sores.
• One can also opt for vitamin C supplements or zinc oxide topical cream for combating cold sores.

In addition to those mentioned above 1-day cold sore treatments, there are several home-remedies for treating cold sores.