Kay Kay Healthcare Ltd.
COLD SORES
SYMPTOMS
• Fluid-filled blisters or red, painful sores on or near the mouth, or on fingers.
• Swollen, sensitive gums of a deep red color.
• A fever, flulike symptoms, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck often accompanying the first attack; recurrent sores usually don’t produce these symptoms.
WHAT IS COLD SORES
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are a painful infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. They may show up anywhere on your body but are most likely to appear on your gums, the outside of your mouth and lips, your nose, cheeks, or fingers. Blister form, then break and ooze; a yellow crust develops and eventually sloughs off, revealing new skin underneath. The sore usually last 7 to 10 days. Ninety percent of all people get at least one cold sores in their lives. This first occurrence is often the worst. Some children who are affected may become seriously ill. After the first infection, many people develop antibodies and never have other cold sores. About 40 percent of Americans adults, however, have repeated cold sores. Although cold sores generally are not serious, the infection may be life threatening for anyone who has AIDS or whose immune system is depressed by other disorders or medications. In infants, who usually contract the virus during birth, the infection may spread to other organs, causing serious complication or even details. The infection form a cold sores may cause blindness if it spread to the eye; herpes is frequent cause of infectious blindness.
CAUSES
Cold sores are cause by the herpes simplex virus, which is transmitted by such forms of contact as kissing an infected person or sharing eating utensils, towels, or razors. A person with cold sores who performs oral sex on another person can give that person genital herpes. Sores may develop as late as 20 days after exposure to the virus. Once the virus enter your body, it may emerge years later at or near the original site of entry. Before an attack you may experience itching or sensitivity at the side. The virus may be triggered by certain foods, stress, fever, colds, allergies, sunburn, and menstruation.
DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES
Your doctor may take culture from your sore or simply examine it to see if you have the virus.
TREATMENT
You can’t cure a cold sore, but you can alleviate the pain it causes by avoiding spicy or acidic foods, applying ice, and using over the counter remedies. Look for medicines that content numbing agents such as phenol, and emollients to reduce cracking and soften scabs. To speed healing apply a water based zinc ointment as soon as you feel the tingling that precedes a sore.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
If your cold sore is especially painful or irritating, your doctor may prescribe an aesthetic gel to alleviate pain.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
Several alternative therapies may help to speed healing and prevent sores from coming back.
AROMATHERAPY
Applying geranium or eucalyptus oils to cold sores every hour may help reduce pain and speed healing of the sores. Aroma therapist believes that tea tree oil has antiseptic properties.
HERBAL THEARAPIES
To dry up cold sore, herbalists recommend applying witch hazel. Herbalists also recommend applying extracts of Echinacea, Nettle, Goldenseal, and Myrrh to Speed healing.
MIND/BODY MEDICINE
Cold sore often is triggered by stress. Try deep muscle relaxation, biofeedback, guided imagery, and meditation. Don’t forget to exercise; activity bolsters your immune system so you can depend yourself against the virus.
NUTRITON AND DIET
The herpes virus thrives on the amino acid argentine. Stay away from nuts, chocolates, and seeds. Instead, eat foods high in lysine, such as kidney beans, split peas, and corn. If you have more than three cold sores a year, take 500 mg lysine supplements every day.
AT HOME REMEDIES
• Apply ice for 15 minutes to relieve pain.
• Apply vitamin E oil to help sores heal.
• Use number 15 lip balm sunscreen.
• Cover your cold sore with petroleum jelly.
PREVENTION
• Don’t kiss someone who has a cold sore or use the same utensils, towels, or razors.
• Wash your hands after touching cold sores.
• Don’t rub your eyes after touching your cold sore; you could develop corneal herpes which may lead to blindness if left untreated.
• Don’t touch your genitals after touching your cold sore; you could develop genital herpes.
• Replace your toothbrush.
• Avoid foods that contain argentine.
• Eat food high in lysine, or take supplements.
COLD SORES
SYMPTOMS
• Fluid-filled blisters or red, painful sores on or near the mouth, or on fingers.
• Swollen, sensitive gums of a deep red color.
• A fever, flulike symptoms, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck often accompanying the first attack; recurrent sores usually don’t produce these symptoms.
WHAT IS COLD SORES
Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are a painful infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. They may show up anywhere on your body but are most likely to appear on your gums, the outside of your mouth and lips, your nose, cheeks, or fingers. Blister form, then break and ooze; a yellow crust develops and eventually sloughs off, revealing new skin underneath. The sore usually last 7 to 10 days. Ninety percent of all people get at least one cold sores in their lives. This first occurrence is often the worst. Some children who are affected may become seriously ill. After the first infection, many people develop antibodies and never have other cold sores. About 40 percent of Americans adults, however, have repeated cold sores. Although cold sores generally are not serious, the infection may be life threatening for anyone who has AIDS or whose immune system is depressed by other disorders or medications. In infants, who usually contract the virus during birth, the infection may spread to other organs, causing serious complication or even details. The infection form a cold sores may cause blindness if it spread to the eye; herpes is frequent cause of infectious blindness.
CAUSES
Cold sores are cause by the herpes simplex virus, which is transmitted by such forms of contact as kissing an infected person or sharing eating utensils, towels, or razors. A person with cold sores who performs oral sex on another person can give that person genital herpes. Sores may develop as late as 20 days after exposure to the virus. Once the virus enter your body, it may emerge years later at or near the original site of entry. Before an attack you may experience itching or sensitivity at the side. The virus may be triggered by certain foods, stress, fever, colds, allergies, sunburn, and menstruation.
DIAGNOSTIC AND TEST PROCEDURES
Your doctor may take culture from your sore or simply examine it to see if you have the virus.
TREATMENT
You can’t cure a cold sore, but you can alleviate the pain it causes by avoiding spicy or acidic foods, applying ice, and using over the counter remedies. Look for medicines that content numbing agents such as phenol, and emollients to reduce cracking and soften scabs. To speed healing apply a water based zinc ointment as soon as you feel the tingling that precedes a sore.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
If your cold sore is especially painful or irritating, your doctor may prescribe an aesthetic gel to alleviate pain.
ALTERNATIVE CHOICES
Several alternative therapies may help to speed healing and prevent sores from coming back.
AROMATHERAPY
Applying geranium or eucalyptus oils to cold sores every hour may help reduce pain and speed healing of the sores. Aroma therapist believes that tea tree oil has antiseptic properties.
HERBAL THEARAPIES
To dry up cold sore, herbalists recommend applying witch hazel. Herbalists also recommend applying extracts of Echinacea, Nettle, Goldenseal, and Myrrh to Speed healing.
MIND/BODY MEDICINE
Cold sore often is triggered by stress. Try deep muscle relaxation, biofeedback, guided imagery, and meditation. Don’t forget to exercise; activity bolsters your immune system so you can depend yourself against the virus.
NUTRITON AND DIET
The herpes virus thrives on the amino acid argentine. Stay away from nuts, chocolates, and seeds. Instead, eat foods high in lysine, such as kidney beans, split peas, and corn. If you have more than three cold sores a year, take 500 mg lysine supplements every day.
AT HOME REMEDIES
• Apply ice for 15 minutes to relieve pain.
• Apply vitamin E oil to help sores heal.
• Use number 15 lip balm sunscreen.
• Cover your cold sore with petroleum jelly.
PREVENTION
• Don’t kiss someone who has a cold sore or use the same utensils, towels, or razors.
• Wash your hands after touching cold sores.
• Don’t rub your eyes after touching your cold sore; you could develop corneal herpes which may lead to blindness if left untreated.
• Don’t touch your genitals after touching your cold sore; you could develop genital herpes.
• Replace your toothbrush.
• Avoid foods that contain argentine.
• Eat food high in lysine, or take supplements.
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