For most people, it is very simple to recognise a cold sore, which generally looks something like the pictures below. The sores can be dry and flaky, or moist and filled with a large amount of serum, although most people know a cold sore when they see one.
Cold sores are spread by coming into contact with the virus. This can mean:
So, to avoid infecting other people, cold sore sufferers must learn to recognise that a cold sore is about to form and avoid getting close to others. To avoid being infected, people must notice a cold sore on someone and avoid close contact with them.
There are no cures for HSV, although there are countless scams that advertise "natural cure" and "The secret that farmers kept from us.'
However, there are some ways to lessen the impact of cold sores. This is only possible if the sore is recognised early on before it's visible, when creams and pills to lessen the effect of HSV-1 should be taken. These treatments don't stop cold sores, they only lessen the duration for about 1 or 2 days and reduce pain. Some treatments are:
A video explaining treatments available (by WebMD):
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/cold-sores-how-to-13/treat
- Kissing
- Sharing utensils and other personal items like water bottles
- Coming into close contact
- Sharing bed sheets (as some people drool and therefore infected saliva is left on the sheet to be spread)
So, to avoid infecting other people, cold sore sufferers must learn to recognise that a cold sore is about to form and avoid getting close to others. To avoid being infected, people must notice a cold sore on someone and avoid close contact with them.
There are no cures for HSV, although there are countless scams that advertise "natural cure" and "The secret that farmers kept from us.'
However, there are some ways to lessen the impact of cold sores. This is only possible if the sore is recognised early on before it's visible, when creams and pills to lessen the effect of HSV-1 should be taken. These treatments don't stop cold sores, they only lessen the duration for about 1 or 2 days and reduce pain. Some treatments are:
- Zovira cream is the most common treatment, reducing healing time by about 2 days and lessening pain
- Penciclovir and Aciclovir creams both act like Zovira
- Benzyl gel is a drug that relieves the pain
- Dimethicone is a product which can help reduce the duration and make it less likely another outbreak will be soon
- Valtrex can be used early on to reduce healing time
A video explaining treatments available (by WebMD):
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/cold-sores-how-to-13/treat