Sunday, June 30, 2013

What do i use after the cold sore has started to crack and scab?

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Q. ive had this darn thing for about 6 days now and it has just started to crack and scab..i have been putting ice, nail polish remover,alcohol,peroxide,bactine, but now i dont know what to use .. i was thinking neosporin and some vaseline petroleum jelly cream.what do you guys/girls think? thanks


Answer
A cold sore is a version of the herpes virus. It is different from the genital herpes virus but can be transmitted to the genitals if the facial herpes comes in contact with the genitals. It is important to be careful during a cold sore outbreak. Don't touch your lips and then touch your eyes or nose or genitals. These areas are the most prone to contracting herpes. You can also pass this virus to another person by touching the other person with the infected area.

Cold sores are very resilient. The herpes virus connects to your nerve system and attacks the infected area. The virus then goes into a state of hibernation before your immune system can attack it. This enables it to go undetected by your body and remain with you for your entire lifetime. Chicken pox is another form of herpes which remains in your body and can later resurrect as shingles when you are older.

Don't let this information frighten you. This is only a precaution so that you don't encounter anymore awkward situations in your life. Cold sores on your lips are embarrassing enough. With proper handling during an outbreak, you can limit your cold sores to only attacking your lips. You may be able to even prevent further outbreaks.

There are several treatments for cold sores. Here are the most effective remedies.

1. Abreva. This is an over-the-counter cream that attacks the herpes virus and shortens the time of an outbreak. It is best to apply Abreva at the initial tingling sensation of a cold sore, before it appears on your lip.

2. Valtrex. This is a prescription medication usually intended for genital herpes. It is sometimes subscribed for cold sores also. Talk to your general doctor or a specialist about possible prescription treatments.

3. Limit stress. Since the herpes virus is connected to your nervous system, a primary trigger of a cold sore outbreak is stress. Change your lifestyle to limit the amount of stress in your life. Practice stress relieving exercises such as meditation or yoga. A cold sore is often referred to as a worry wart. It is a visible sign that you are under physical or mental stress. A cold sore outbreak often causes a person to feel embarrassed which causes more stress and lengthens the time of the outbreak.

4. Ice. Sudden changes in weather places stress upon your body. Cold sores often attack in early spring and late fall when temperatures can change drastically from day to day. Intense cold usually helps to counteract an attack. When you feel the initial tingling sensation of a cold sore outbreak, press a piece of ice on your lip where you have the outbreaks. Let the ice touch your bare skin while you hold the ice with a clean cloth. Practice this 3 times per day with a new cloth until the cold sores have disappeared. If you catch it early, you can often eliminate an outbreak.

5. Chapstick. Keep your lips clean and moist. Don't allow your lips to chap or feel stress from the weather. Avoid allowing the cold sore to come in contact with saliva or water. After washing your face, towel dry the infected area thoroughly before applying Chapstick.

6. Sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can trigger a herpes outbreak, even during the winter. Apply sunscreen to the areas affected by cold sores. This will help prevent possible outbreaks.

7. Keep your immune system strong. Herpes usually attacks when your immune system is the weakest. A cold sore outbreak can even be an early sign of another oncoming illness such as the flu or a cold. Eat a healthy diet and take Vitamin C. Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.

Cold Sore
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_sore



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