Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of a Cold Sore
A cold sore is an infection which is caused by a certain virus called herpes simplex. This virus is quite common and the viral infection usually occurs in and around the oral cavity. But there are also times when the nose is included in the oral cavity infection and there are also occurrences of cold sore virus symptoms in the eyes. The occurrence of the cold sore in the eyes is caused by the virus making a wrong turn as it makes its way to the nerves going to the mouth and oral cavity.
Cold sores are usually preceded by a marked tingling in some areas of the oral cavity as well as around the oral cavity. This stage is known as prodrome, and directly precedes the development of the cold sore blisters themselves. Cold sore symptoms include a degree of pain in the affected area, weeping blisters which occur in and around the oral cavity, fever, redness in the affected area and itchiness. The blisters in the lips and mouth can form a bigger blister when two smaller blisters are close to each other. The presence of these symptoms may cause the affected individual to have some difficulty eating and talking. The symptoms of this viral infection are constant and highly similar for both the oral cavity and the eyes.
Since children can be affected by this virus, their plight may be more dangerous than adults. Younger children are prone to bouts of cold sore attacks since they have not developed strong immune systems yet. Fever may be dangerous for younger children since their systems may not be equipped to handle the elevated temperatures as yet. Among the serious symptoms of cold sore attacks, a fever is the most common for younger children.
While infection of the eyes by the herpes simplex virus is not common, it can occur to many people, especially those to whom this area has always been readily affected. For cold sores in the eyes, the signs may not appear as severe as those in the mouth or lips but the effects may be more permanent. Blurry vision, watery eyes, redness and pain in the affected area are the signs to watch for. The presence of ulcers is one of the symptoms and can cause considerable scarring in the eyes. The scarring almost always affects the person’s eyesight.
While topical creams and ointments usually address the symptoms, antiviral medications are important in controlling the presence of the virus itself. Once the herpes simplex virus is in a person’s body, it stays dormant until such time as it is triggered. The trigger for this virus may be severe stress, trauma (mental or physical), sickness, exposure to sunlight, a weakened immune system and any other significant changes. A way of eliminating this virus from a person’s body has not yet been discovered. The best way to deal with the cold sore virus symptoms and manifestations is to understand what causes it to recur and how to manage it through immediate ingestion or application of medications. The manifestation of the virus and the cold sore virus symptoms may lessen as the individual grows older.
You might be surprised at how many truly effective ways there are to clear up your cold sores using natural remedies. You can try a number of different remedies, anything from lemon balm to ice for treating cold sores. Find out more at Home Remedies for Cold Sores.
