Cold sores can be extremely irritating, uncomfortable, and itchy and sometimes it feels impossible to resist scratching cold sores. Cold sores are annoying, small, painful blisters around the lips and nearby skin. Herpes simplex virus type I most commonly causes the cold sores on your mouth. These viruses attack the skin and nervous system of the body. Exposure to sunlight, sick, weather conditions, stress or cold can trigger cold sores.

Cold sores are common and usually trivial. Cold sores are caused by a viral infection. Cold Sores could cause blindness if it spreads to the eye. Physical contact, itching or rubbing cold sores will spread the herpes virus to the rest of your face or another person. You should avoid kissing, sharing items with others, such as eating utensils, cups or towels when you or they have an active cold sores.

Because the herpes virus remains dormant in the ganglia, the body is never able to completely stop cold sores. But you can learn cold sore treatment to relief the pain caused by your cold sores. Cold sore treatment is effective for skin irritations on the lips, gums, or roof of the mouth.

Once the cold sore has broken through the skin, healing can take up to 10 to 12 days. Outbreaks are most commonly brought on by large amounts of stress. An outbreak is very irritating, and can also lead to intense itching. If you are suffering from cold sores, you should learn to manage stress effectively by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.

Vitamin C and zinc are especially effective in building up your immune system as well as being an antiviral and antifungal agent. Vitamin supplements such as zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E can help. Broccoli and cauliflower are two vegetables that can help. Using Lysine as a cold sore treatment has shown to be effective.

One should include applying heat while treating cold sores during the healing period. This will bring additional blood to the area for faster healing results.