How to Identity the Various Cold Sores Stages

Posted on December 20, 2009
Filed Under skin care |

As well as the generally known five cold sore stages, there also exists the sixth stage. The sixth stage, which is really the first one, never has any symptoms or causes any pain. At this point in time a cold sore is present but not visible, and is accordingly in the inactive stage. At this point, the herpes virus, which is the trigger for cold sores, is present in the nerve ganglia but isn’t actively causing symptoms - but it is still transmissible to a partner! A third of those who contract the virus show no signs of it progressing to another stage. When someone has a cold sore, it’s not always identified. The [reason for this is that No action or medicine is required during this frequently permanent cold sore stage, at least until the virus progresses.

The first tangible stage of a cold sore is referred to as Prodome. The dormant virus becomes active and rises to the exterior of the facial skin through the nerve endings. The virus has begun to set in when you feel dryness, itching and burning or tingling feelings. After a couple of days this stage will end and the next will start.

After the first stage of cold sores comes the second which is called inflammation or a “pre-sore.” This takes place when the virus gets into the cells of the nerves and causes redness and discomfort. Small painful groups of blisters resembling pimples will form on the skin and this is normally the first hint. Another frequent sign at this point is the onset of both headaches and fevers.

The third stage of your cold sore’s path takes place when you see the small pimples bursting open and becoming one large, open sore. The pain can actually be so bad throughout this phase that people take to their beds. Since the discharge from the sore is full of viruses, this would be the most contagious stage. A cold sore is transmittable to all other parts of your body, in addition to the bodies of others.

Formation of the scab happens in the 4th stage of cold sore development. This stage has a substantial amount of discomfort, especially with movement, as the scab starts to crack. This remains an extremely contagious period with the pus continuing to ooze from the abscess. A scab will likely develop and fall off several times while the cold sore is in this stage. Next you’ll likely feel discomfort from the new skin forming under the scab and this can become quite itchy.

The cold sore is near healing when the scab falls off and new skin is exposed. The healing process is almost complete now, as the new skin will form and strengthen; however further healing is still going on beneath the surface with new cells that have been damaged being replaced. You’ll no doubt be very pleased that you don’t in fact feel this final process occurring, and any tenderness remaining should subside within a couple of weeks.

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 aloe vera to tea bags for treating cold sores. Find out more at Home Remedies for Cold Sores.

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