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Dealing With Cold Sore Symptoms

Cold sore symptoms vary from mild to severe. If it becomes severe, it will be up to the point where you will lie down for days. If mild, it will be very unnoticeable that you will likely not pay any attention to it. Both conditions are bad because it will get to you later.

When you are first infected with the cold sore virus, a particular set of cold sore symptoms will be experienced. These initial symptoms occur only once. They may include headache, fever and swollen lymph glands. A sore throat is also a common initial symptom.

These symptoms usually show themselves about 15 days after the first infection. It will last for about three to four days. More often than not, you are less likely to get a cold sore this first time around.

Approximately 90% of the planet population carry the virus by the time they are 10 years old. At most times, it is latent. It hides in the nerve cells nesting deep within the nerve fibers. On average, a person will get at least one cold sore every nine to six months. It is not uncommon at all for people to get at least three or more than four infection every single year, so don’t be too surprised.

The very first of the cold sore symptoms is often barely noticeable although it could be more severe in some people. In the cold sore area (lips or nose) you will feel the early symptoms such as a sudden dryness, tingling or itching sensation or also a burning sensation. If you have these symptoms, this indicates that you are in the first stage of a cold sore. You should prepare to take immediate actions should this happens to you. At this stage, the virus is moving to the surface nerve cells. In approximately 12 to 36 hours, your cold sore will occur. The cold sore area will have small, hard, pimple-like bumps that are rather painful regardless of you touching it or not. Do not panic for this is common. It is also a common thing to experience fever, headaches, and fatigue. The under-jaw lymph glands will begin to swell.

Your most painful time would probably be when the tiny hard bumps swell, burst open and merge to form a large open ulcer. You might also have a runny nose at this point.The lymph glands under the jaw should then be quite swollen and painful. Your sore will be draining a clear fluid teaming with cold sore virus. Stay away from people, or avoid close contact with them because you are dangerously contagious at this time.

Hold on for a couple of days. After a small period of time, your sore will scab over. Healing process will then begin. Be careful when touching the cold sore area since it should still be rather painful. This phase, while common, is sadly painful. If you have any headaches, fever and swollen lymph glands, they should then be subsiding. Note that you will continue to experience itching and irritation of the cold sore when the healing process progresses. In very little time later, you will be back to your shining self.