Lip herpes are also known as cold sores or fever blisters. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They look like a small, painful, fluid-filled blister or group of small blisters on the lip or around the mouth. The skin around the blister is often sore, red and swollen. The blisters can open, leaking a clear fluid, and then dry up and scab over after a few days. Healing time can vary from several days to two weeks, but 10 days is average --- they usually heal without scarring.
Identification
Cold sores develop in stages. Symptoms can vary. Often there is a tenderness, tingling, itching, burning, dryness, heightened sensitivity, or pain on or around your mouth. It might seem to come from a small hard or hot spot. This is called the prodome. You can feel these symptoms a few hours before the blisters appear or even one to two days before. Small children sometimes drool before the cold sore is visible. During this stage the virus is moving to the surface nerve cells and will appear 12-36 hours later.
The spot can redden and a blister or cluster of small blisters will appear. The blister usually breaks open before it dries up, oozing a clear fluid. The blister will then form a yellow crust. It usually heals without scarring.
The symptoms can be severe in the first episode (known as the "primary" attack), and may include fever, swollen glands, bleeding gums, headache, sore throat or many painful sore(s) around the mouth.
Considerations
When you have the herpes simplex virus it never goes away. It lies dormant in the nerve cells in the skin near the original site and can be reactivated by a weakened immune system, sun exposure, menstruation, trauma to the skin, stress, colds, or a fever (this is why lip herpes are sometimes called fever blisters).
Stress encourages the herpes virus in several ways. It uses up your supply of B and C vitamins, which weakens the immune system as well as acidifying your body's pH and lowering lysine levels.
Misconceptions
Cold sores are contagious. However, canker sores are not contagious. They are similar sores on the soft tissue on the inside of your cheeks or tongue.
The fluid inside the blisters is highly contagious and It is possible to transfer the infection to another location so be careful with your toothbrush, lip balm or lipstick. If you have a cold sore, avoid sharing personal care products with others.
However, is almost impossible to catch a cold sore from a towel, washcloth, or razor.
A cold sore sometimes appears up to three weeks after exposure to the herpes virus.
Although lip herpes appears most commonly, they can appear on your face near the mouth, nose, chin or even fingers.
Most people carry this virus. It usually hides dormant in the cells of your nerve ganglia behind your ear.
Prevention/Solution
Cold sores clear up on their own and rarely need a doctor's care. However, a doctor can prescribe medication that can shorten the duration of an outbreak. Prescription medications include pills such as Valtrex and Famvir and creams such as Zovirax and Denavir. Abreva is an over-the-counter medication that shortens the duration of an outbreak. Start medication as soon as possible --- even in the prodome stage --- to prevent the cold sore from developing.
You diet can strengthen or weaken your immune system. Cold sore activity is affected by the ratio of two common amino acids, lysine and arginine. Increasing the lysine in your diet can prevent or greatly reduce outbreaks. Lysine starves the cell of the arginine it needs to reproduce.
Lysine is found in fish, beef, chicken, dairy products, eggs, apples, pears. mangoes, apricots and summer squash. You can also take lysine capsules to help balance your lysine intake. Lysine capsules are commonly found in health food stores in 500 mg. capsules. Take three to eight capsules daily during an outbreak. To prevent cold sores, take a maintenance dose of one or two capsules daily
Foods high in arginine include any type of chocolate, nuts and seeds including peanuts and soybeans, shellfish, oats and white flour, grapes, oranges, tangerines, onions, peas, broccoli and squash.
Warning
Some people have the virus but don't get cold sores. They have no symptoms.
A weakened immune system from chemotherapy can leave you susceptible to cold sores. If your outbreak is severe, seek medical attention.
Prevention/Solution
The virus can be spread by infected saliva so avoid kissing or sharing an eating or drinking utensil.
A doctor can prescribe medications that can shorten the duration of an outbreak.
Most people have been exposed to herpes simplex. So what causes an outbreak? A weakened immune system and stress.
Tags: cold sore, immune system, cold sores, duration outbreak, herpes simplex, weakened immune, weakened immune system