What Are Some Of The Symptoms Of A Cold Sore?

Before a cold sore appears the area will sometimes tingle, feel slightly raised and may appear red and inflamed.

This pain or tingling sensation is called the prodrome (or warning symptom) and typically occurs 1 to 2 days before the cold sore appears.

A cold sore generally appears as a small, fluid-filled blister which goes through a cycle of phases. The blister will usually weep (ulcerate) and form a scab or 'crusting' before healing and disappearing completely.

The duration of a typical cold sore outbreak may last from 8 to 12 days

What Causes Or "Activates" A Cold Sore Recurrence?

There are many factors that can influence or "trigger" a cold sore outbreak, however, it seems to be related to times when the immune system is lowered or run down.

Cold sore outbreaks can sometimes be triggered by the following:

• Being run-down
• Menstruation Cycle
• Pregnancy
• Drinking a lot of alcohol
• Exposure of the area to strong sunlight
• Conditions that compromise a person's immune system (where the body's immune system is not functioning normally)
• Prolonged periods of stress
• Fatigue
• Ultraviolet light
• Skin irritation (such as sunburn)
• Diet and certain foods
• Another illness (especially with fever)
• Temperature extremes
• Steroid medication (e.g., asthma medication)
  

Anything that lowers your immune system or causes local injury can trigger recurrences.

How Do You Get Cold Sores?

Cold sores are generally contracted from skin to skin contact with an infected area.
For example, if someone has a cold sore on their lip they can pass on the virus to another person's mouth through kissing.

The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the first exposure to the virus.

As most people contract cold sores before the age of seven, it is common for a person not to remember their first or 'primary' cold sore outbreak.

Once infected with cold sores, the virus remains inside the body in a latent (sleeping) state. Throughout a person's life the virus can then become "activated" causing a cold sore recurrence.