Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Cold Sore Symptoms - Caring For Cold Sores

By Denny Bodoh

Cold sore symptoms - what are they? Read this very informative article and discover what to expect from your cold sore symptoms.

Below I would like to present the most common cold sore symptoms that surface during a herpes attack. You will probably see that yours are very much the same. If not, see a doctor.

You can categorize normal cold sore symptoms into these five distinct stages.

1. YOUR FIRST INDICATION OF COMING COLD SORES.

Your first sign of developing cold sores often goes unnoticed. The target spot can tingle, itch or feel irritated.

Your target site may even feel dry or chapped.

You are sensing the virus movement. The herpes simplex virus is moving to the surface along a nerve. This virus will infect the surface cells once it gets there.

You will enjoy instant relief by applying ice or other cold object. Ice is a terrific cold sore treatment that can often prevent cold sores from developing further.

2. NOW YOU WILL QUICKLY EXPERIENCE SWOLLEN TISSUE AND PIMPLE-LIKE BUMPS.

When the virus enters the cells, some tiny red bumps will form. You will now get swelling of the area as the cells fill with new virus particles. You should continue to use cold therapy.

You may develop flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headaches and fatigue. Your lymph glands under the jaw may swell also, as your body fights the virus.

3. YOUR COLD SORES NOW FORM AN OPEN ULCER.

Your infected cells rupture under the pressure of new virus. A clear fluid will weep from this sore - your body's way of cleansing the wound.

The herpes simplex virus creates oral herpes cold sores on the surface end of a nerve. When the sore is open, it exposes those nerves.

You are very contagious. Your cold sores are teaming with herpes virus looking for a new nerve to infect - on you or someone else.

4. YOUR HEALING FINALLY STARTS.

When the cold sores break open, healing begins. Your chosen cold sore treatment methods will affect the speed of your healing.

During your healing period use heat not ice using warm tea bags. Tea has some excellent healing properties.

You will get a protective crust right away. But the crust can become dry and split. This slows healing - and it hurts quite a lot.

You should apply olive or oregano oil to the scab to keep it soft. This reduces cracking and encourages faster healing.

5. FINAL STRETCH OF COLD SORE HEALING.

New skin is regenerating under the scab. The scab will drop off revealing this fresh skin.

Please - you are still contagious so use caution.

You will notice the new skin looks a bit reddish. This means there is still healing and virus activity underneath. You are contagious until the redness is totally gone.

Your final healing phase can seem to take forever and it can be frustrating. You will improve quickly each day but you are still infectious.

This virus is relentless so keep up the cold sore treatment during this time. The cold sore can start a repeat performance very easily.

These are the five cold sore symptoms you will experience. Of course, yours may be slightly different. If they are a lot different, see a health professional.

You do not have to suffer these cold sore symptoms any longer. Many good cold sore treatment options have now been discovered that can prevent your suffering for good.

you simply do not have to suffer cold sore symptoms anymore. Everyone is different, but with a little trial and error, you will find the exact cold sore treatment that works best for you.

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