>>What are cold sores ?
Cold sores are a type of facial sore that are found either on the lips or else on the skin in the area near the mouth. It is also known as fever blisters. Cold sores are caused by a contagious virus the herpes simplex virus.

>>What is herpes ?
Greek scholars, including Hippocrates, initiated the use of the word "herpes" to describe those lesions caused by the virus we now call herpes simplex. As translated, "herpes" means to creep or crawl, which to the Greeks described the manner in which these lesions spread.

>>How are cold sores formed ?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. The reactivation of dormant herpes simplex virus particles that live in our bodies causes an outbreak of cold sores.
Type 1 herpes simplex virus.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 ("HSV1") generally only infects those body tissues that lie "above the waistline" and it is HSV1 that causes cold sores in the majority of cases.
Where in our bodies do the dormant herpes virus particles reside?
Between episodes of cold sore breakouts the dormant virus particles quietly reside "asleep" in nerve tissue. (In the case of HSV1 the virus particles usually lie dormant in the trigeminal nerve ganglion.) Once reactivated the virus particles travel down the nerve to the area where the cold sore lesion ultimately develops.

>>When do cold sores form ?
The onset of herpes outbreaks often coincide with those periods when a person's immune system is stressed or weakened. It is thought that during "normal" times a person's immune system is able to keep the herpes virus in check, but when a person's immune system is compromised the herpes virus is able to overcome a person's natural defenses and cause the formation of a lesion.
Some factors that trigger cold sore outbreaks:
* Emotional upset and stress.
* Physical stress and fatigue.
* Illnesses (including a cold or the flu)
* Injury to the lips or skin, such as physical trauma or severe chapping.
* Injury to the lips from excessive exposure to bright sunlight or ultraviolet lamps.
* Menstruation or pregnancy.
* An immune system deficiency.

>>Where do cold sores usually form ?
Cold sores are usually found either:
On or at the edge of a person's lip.
On the facial skin near a person's mouth.
Occasionally, they occur on your nostrils, chin or fingers.
Although unusual, they may occur inside your mouth but only on your gums or hard palate, which is the roof of your mouth.
With each new breakout cold sores typically form in essentially the same location as they have before.

>>How long do cold sores last ?
Cold sores usually run their course in 8 to 12 days .

>>What are the different stages of cold sore formation
Day 1-2 : The Tingle stage. [The Prodrome Stage.]
Usually a person's first indication that a cold sore is developing is that they notice a sense of soreness, tautness, or swelling in the location where their cold sore will ultimately form. Sometimes this same area will become slightly reddened.
Day 2-3 : The Blister stage.
The first readily visible sign of cold sore formation is an outbreak of fluid filled blisters. Usually these blisters are very small in size (smaller in diameter than the thickness of a dime) and they usually form in a cluster that is no larger than about the size of a nickel. Sometimes individual blisters coalesce with others so to form a single larger blister.
Day 4 : The Weeping stage. [The Ulcer Stage.]
Cold sore blisters usually rupture shortly after they have formed, leaving a shallow reddish ulceration whose surface becomes gray. This phase of cold sore's formation can be its most painful stage. This is also the stage at which a cold sore is most contagious.
Days 5 - 8 : The Crusting stage.
In those areas where the cold sore lesion is not kept wet by moisture from the mouth the ulcer will become dry and scab over with a brownish crust. The formation of this scabbing is often accompanied by an itching or burning sensation. Often the scab will crack or break, which in turn produces bleeding.
Days 9 - 12 : The Final Healing stage.
As time progresses so will the cold sore's healing. Usually a series of scabs will form on the lesion, each subsequently flaking off. Each new scab will be smaller than the previous one until the cold sore resolves itself fully, usually without scarring.

>>What are the complications of cold sores?
1. If you have a cold sore, avoid contact with
* infants.
* anyone who has eczema (atopic dermatitis)
2. People with a suppressed immune system, such as people with cancer, AIDS or an organ transplant.
3. Herpes infection of the eye also causes scarring of the cornea which leads to blindness.

>>When to seek medical advice
Cold sores generally clear up on their own without treatment. However, see your doctor if:
You have a pre-existing health condition that has compromised your immune system. The cold sores don't heal within one to two weeks on their own.
Symptoms are severe:
1. You have frequent recurrences of cold sores.
2. What are the treatment options available?
3. Cold sores generally clear up without treatment in seven to 10 days.
4. If you experience frequent bouts, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to treat cold sores.