Cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, have different stages including tingling, blister, ulcer, scabbing, and healing. Treatment should be discussed with a medical professional, but over-the-counter medications are usually effective. The entire life cycle is usually less than two weeks.
A cold sore, also commonly referred to as a fever blister, is caused by a type of virus known as the herpes simplex virus. There are different stages of a cold sore, and it can be especially helpful for those with recurring outbreaks to understand these stages. Cold sores start before the blister actually appears on the skin and end a few days later with the healing phase. Questions or concerns about the various stages of a cold sore or which treatment methods are most appropriate for an individual situation should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.
The first of the stages of a cold sore is often referred to as the tingling stage. At this stage, a slight itching, burning or tingling sensation may be noted, although a sore on the skin is not yet visible. This can last for a few hours or up to a day before the blisters start to appear. Shortly thereafter, the site begins to turn red and a slight swelling may appear. Many people prefer to start treatment at this point.
The later stages of a cold sore are the bladder and ulcer stages. A small group of painful bumps begins to appear, forming a blister on the surface of the skin. When white blood cells rise to the surface to fight the infection, the blister fills with fluid. Within a couple of days or so, the blister turns into an ulcer, the most painful stage of this virus. During this stage, the blisters rupture, often causing increased redness and pain.
The scabbing stage is the next of the stages of a cold sore. The fever blister begins to dry and a crust begins to form over the affected area. Pain and cracked, bleeding skin may occur at this stage. The itching or burning sensations can become quite severe at this point in the healing process.
The scab begins to fall off during the final stage of healing. Dry, flaky skin and some degree of swelling may still be present at this point. There may also be a slight pink or red color to the affected area of skin. Treatment for fever blister should continue until all symptoms are gone. Fortunately, the entire life cycle of a cold sore is almost always less than two weeks, and medical attention is rarely needed as over-the-counter medications are usually very effective at treating any bothersome symptoms.
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