Cold sores also referred to as fever blister or Orolabial herpes have distinguishing characteristics that can be used to differentiate them from other oral sores that may be mistakenly identified, instead of cold sore.
Cold sores are distinct with the location they develop, and the appearance that they have.
This way other mouth infections can not be confused with them.
Also, proper knowledge about the characteristics of cold sores allow the sufferer to be knowledgeable of their condition, paving way for faster healing through appropriate treatment, and infection control through the prevention of spread, as well as recurrence of the infectious condition.
It can usually develop in either the edge of the lips, or anywhere near the mouth.
Frequent sufferers of these sores may notice that the blisters tend to form at the same location as it recurs.
Every new blister on average forms characteristically at the same area as the previous outbreaks.
Cold sore blisters has five stages, when we talk about the course of illness.
It can take a couple of days, to an average of 12 days.
Proper care and treatment can result to quicker healing and less recurrences.
The first stage is the "prodome" stage, also called as "tingle" stage which is the first 1 to 2 days of the infection.
This is the prerequisite sensation felt by almost all that will develop a cold sore.
It seems like an aura felt just before the outbreak.
This is an indication that the infection is making its way to the skin surface.
As patients observe their area of the skin becoming sore, taut, reddened and swollen, it is best that treatment be made as early as the first stage.
The 2nd to 3rd day of infection is called the "blister" stage.
This stage is characterized by the formation of fluid-filled pockets in the areas of the mouth, nose and nearby skin regions.
These blisters are typically small in sizes, and will generally form into clusters, making a larger sized cold sore blister.
The "weeping" stage or day 4 of the outbreak can also be termed as "ulcerative" stage.
This time, the fluid sacs tend to rupture, leaving a hollow ulcer in its place.
The surface becomes grey, and the ulcer is reddened.
This period of infection is the most contagious.
Days 5 to 8 are called "crusting" period.
The scabbing of the blister that has not been taken cared of with proper moisture and treatment tends to form crusts that crack and dry, which also bleeds and leaves brown scabs.
They can fall off eventually, and most often than not, they do not form a mark.
The "final healing" stage is achieved on the 9th to 12th day.
Scabs flake off which are least likely to form into scars.
Cold sore blisters are excruciatingly painful.
Making people uncomfortable to talk, eat, smile, and do other oral actions.
The pain felt usually differs with every patient.
But the "weeping" period or the fourth day, has been said to be the most painful in the entire course of illness.
It is also the most contagious as mentioned above, because exudates can weep out the sore, containing the infectious organisms that are responsible for the cold sore infection.
Cold sores are distinct with the location they develop, and the appearance that they have.
This way other mouth infections can not be confused with them.
Also, proper knowledge about the characteristics of cold sores allow the sufferer to be knowledgeable of their condition, paving way for faster healing through appropriate treatment, and infection control through the prevention of spread, as well as recurrence of the infectious condition.
It can usually develop in either the edge of the lips, or anywhere near the mouth.
Frequent sufferers of these sores may notice that the blisters tend to form at the same location as it recurs.
Every new blister on average forms characteristically at the same area as the previous outbreaks.
Cold sore blisters has five stages, when we talk about the course of illness.
It can take a couple of days, to an average of 12 days.
Proper care and treatment can result to quicker healing and less recurrences.
The first stage is the "prodome" stage, also called as "tingle" stage which is the first 1 to 2 days of the infection.
This is the prerequisite sensation felt by almost all that will develop a cold sore.
It seems like an aura felt just before the outbreak.
This is an indication that the infection is making its way to the skin surface.
As patients observe their area of the skin becoming sore, taut, reddened and swollen, it is best that treatment be made as early as the first stage.
The 2nd to 3rd day of infection is called the "blister" stage.
This stage is characterized by the formation of fluid-filled pockets in the areas of the mouth, nose and nearby skin regions.
These blisters are typically small in sizes, and will generally form into clusters, making a larger sized cold sore blister.
The "weeping" stage or day 4 of the outbreak can also be termed as "ulcerative" stage.
This time, the fluid sacs tend to rupture, leaving a hollow ulcer in its place.
The surface becomes grey, and the ulcer is reddened.
This period of infection is the most contagious.
Days 5 to 8 are called "crusting" period.
The scabbing of the blister that has not been taken cared of with proper moisture and treatment tends to form crusts that crack and dry, which also bleeds and leaves brown scabs.
They can fall off eventually, and most often than not, they do not form a mark.
The "final healing" stage is achieved on the 9th to 12th day.
Scabs flake off which are least likely to form into scars.
Cold sore blisters are excruciatingly painful.
Making people uncomfortable to talk, eat, smile, and do other oral actions.
The pain felt usually differs with every patient.
But the "weeping" period or the fourth day, has been said to be the most painful in the entire course of illness.
It is also the most contagious as mentioned above, because exudates can weep out the sore, containing the infectious organisms that are responsible for the cold sore infection.
SHARE
