What Causes A Cold Sore?

Cold sores are the by-product of the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and are sore, crusty blisters that appear on the mouth and face area. They are not from the same strand of the herpes virus that is responsible for genital herpes as this is caused by the HSV-2. However, both have the ability to cause cold sores on the face and genital area so you should treat cold sores very cautiously.

Cold sores are highly contagious and most people that have cold sores and HSV-1 contracted it as a young child. Cold sores can be contracted through both direct and indirect contact with an infected area. This means things such as sharing drinks, kissing, or sharing towels with someone that is infected puts you at risk. Once you have contracted the virus it stays in your system and there is currently no permanent cure for it. Therefore if you have had a cold sore before it is very likely you will experience them again throughout your life.

What Happens When You Get Infected?

Once you are infected with HSV-1, the virus goes through your skin into a group of nerve cells known as a ganglion. This is where the virus settles and its symptoms remain dormant. For some the virus is permanently inactive, but for most people this is not the case and they will experience cold sores from time to time.

There is no scientific or exact answer for why the herpes virus reactivates and despite the popular misconception; cold sores do not come up just when you have a cold. They appear to come up as a reaction to infections, stress, being rundown, hormone changes or imbalances, or as a reaction to food or drugs. However most of the time it is impossible to predict what will set off cold sores.

The cold sore develops by as the virus reactivates and travels through the nerves endings to the lips. The infected person will start to feel a tingle or itchiness around this area at this time as the virus sits under the skin. A day or two after the tingling has started a red bump will appear in that area. This bump will then blister and develop into a full cold sore. This cold sore lasts a few days before it starts to dry up and crust over before falling off after another few days.