Recurrent cold sores are making my life miserable. They are really affecting my self confidence and stopping me from socialising with my friends. I am 18 years old I should be going out and having fun, not indoors staring at my cold sores in the mirror. I have tried to cover them up with makeup but this seems to make them even more obvious. So I have decided to try and find out what’s causing them to see if there are any cold sore remedies I can use to prevent them.
I didn’t know this but a cold sore is a result of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Cold sores occur mainly around the lip area and are fluid-filled blisters that start off with a tingling feeling which then turns to a painful itching / burning and then finally to a cold sore. The cold sore blisters do eventually heal up without leaving a scar but they can recur.
The Herpes Simplex Virus is passed on by close contact. Interestingly, most people become infected by the virus in childhood when they come into close contact with someone with a cold sore but they do not show symptoms until their teenage years. This is because the virus hides in the nerves until it is reactivated.
It is often when a person is feeling run down that the virus and cold sores return. Factors that are thought to make this happen are illness, menstruation, stress and sunshine.
Apparently cold sore medications will not eliminate the virus that causes cold sores and over time the creams may not work effectively as the virus gets used to the medication. There is much argument as to how well these creams work as they do not kill the virus.
I have also discovered that the most important thing while treating cold sores is not to touch them. Touching them can make them spread, so while I am applying make up to cover them up I am not helping myself!
So, at least I now know why I get cold sores and some of the reasons that might cause them to recur. Now I just need to work out what cold sore treatment I can use to prevent them.