The Four Stages of Cold Sores

by jerry on July 24, 2011

cold sores

cold sores

The symptoms of cold sores are simple to identify and this is due to the fact that they’re nearly the same for most people. When one contracts the herpes virus, it can stay in the body for a time period that lasts from two to 20 days before one can get to notice the symptoms.

The advent of cold sores on the body comes in four stages and these stages are:

1. The first stage, or the prodromal stage– As the onset of cold sores begin, you are going to have a headache, experience fever, have lymph nodes that are swollen and, in children, drooling. You will also feel itchiness and a burning sensation on the area that is affected.

2. The second stage – The area that’s affected swells and small reddish and pimple-like bumps can be seen. At this stage, one might experience some headaches as well as a fever. One can apply some ice that’s wrapped inside a clean piece of cloth in order to soothe and reduce the inflammation.

3. The third stage – During this stage, blisters will start to form and puss will start to ooze out of the bumps. This stage is the most contagious since this could mean that one can now infect the other parts of the mouth since the puss will contain the virus. This is also the stage wherein one is left with an open wound.

cold sores

cold sores

4.

The fourth stage – Also known as the healing stage. As the blisters start to set in, the open wound begins to heal and one could now notice the difference each and every day. To quicken the healing process, one can apply some virgin olive oil in order to soothe the wound.

The ones mentioned above are only a few of the symptoms that can be experienced once one has cold sores. If the cold sores take too long to heal, consult your physician.

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