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Most Popular Medications

May 12th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The most popular cold sore medication seems to be that of Zovirax and then there is also that of Denavir. These are the only two medications approved by the FDA for reasons of treating the symptoms of cold sores. These are by no means a cure as there is no such thing for right now, but they have shown that they can help reduce the amount of time a patient has to suffer with a cold sore. The more popular of the two, Zovirax, is a cold sore medication that has a more convenient schedule for dosing, which is five times a day over a period of four days.

Since the cold sore medication does state that application should be first done as soon as the person feels the tingle sensation that usually occurs right before the blister appears, it is a good idea to keep this stuff on hand. Talk with your doctor or purchase it online, as it is best to have it handy if you know you are likely to go through a lot of breakouts. When used properly, a cold sore medication could dramatically affect how long a person would have to suffer through this embarrassing time.

What Are Cold Sores?

May 7th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

There are a number of things that can trigger a cold sore, or maybe even none at all. When you see the word herpes mentioned in this article do not be alarmed, it’s not the same thing. There are two types of virus which causes cold sores. The first one is the Herpes simplex virus type one; it affects the tissues that are above the waist line. The Type 2 herpes simplex virus affects the genital area.

Now you may think that what are cold sores but a viral infection and you were merely exposed to a carrier or an object infected with the virus. Actually cold sores are a manifestation of the herpes simplex virus’ reactivation in your body. Meaning you already have it, and its simply “coming alive” again.

If you are asking where you are getting your current cold sore, then you must know that you have probably had a previous herpes infection called the primary herpetic stomatitis. This previous occurrence will not manifest itself as a cold sore; which is probably why you have not related the connection between the two.

What Are Cold Sores Signs And Symptoms?

Initially you will notice that you are not feeling well, your temperature will rise, you’ll get a headache and it will be painful to swallow as well as irritated. A day after your gums will swell up, and the pain upon swallowing will become more intense. The infection will run its course for 10 to 14 days. On the third day you will see blisters forming around your mouth which will erupt into disgusting gray and watery ulcers.

What Are Cold Sores Cure?

Patients who frequently get cold sores are vitamin B deficient. A good dose of Vitamin B supplements should take care of the problem. Folic acid will also help in aiding the vitamin B to be absorbed quickly. However, there is no cure for cold sores. The Vitamin B supplement only acts as a sort of preventive care to minimize the outbreak.

Now you may not remember the symptoms of cold sores, it’s probably because you’ve had them when you were relatively young, about 6 or 7 years old. If your case is sub-clinical then it’s definitely unlikely that you’ll remember it.

What Connection Is There Between Cold Sores And Alzheimers

May 6th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Unfortunately, until now it is still not clear how the cold sores influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease, though it is completely clear that this is some kind of a trigger. The gene ApoE gene has many other components such as ApoE-2 and ApoE-3 that do not play any role in the development of this disease. Only those people who have ApoE-4 gene strain fall prey to this problem.

There are many possibilities which are currently studied by scientists the world over. One such study that looks into the connection between cold sores and Alzheimers points at the possibility that Alzheimers could be prevented if the damage in the brain caused by the herpes virus be repaired in time. The knowledge that only those people who have the ApoE-4 gene are at risk, narrows the scope of the research considerably, though no concrete treatment has been found effective until date.

Some scientists are of the opinion that cold sores and Alzheimers connection lies in the fact that the herpes virus destroys the ability of the brain cells to reconnect and therefore develop into Alzheimers at later stages. This is because some studies show that the ApoE gene overall acts as some type of bodyguard against infection besides playing the role of a ferry for cholesterol . People who have no ApoE gene at all did not seem to develop any link between cold sores and Alzheimers.

The ApoE-4 gene also seems to slow down the ability of the brain cells to recover from injury or reconnect with receptors following any trauma, while those with ApoE-2 gene were able to keep the herpes virus from infecting the brain.

Can Herpes Lead To Prevention Alzheimer’s Disease

The findings of the research studies are still inconclusive, but from whatever has been disseminated until now, it looks that this link could in one way or other work towards the discovery of a preventive method which would benefit those who are at risk of developing Alzheimers in their old age.

The Common Cold Sore In The Mouth

May 2nd, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Although cold sores in mouth are caused by the simplex herpes virus it is not a sexually transmitted disease. Even though it is from the same genus, fever blisters are caused by type 1 simplex herpes virus. Everyone has a Type 1 simplex herpes virus sleeping within their system. This virus can lay dormant for years, and may just suddenly show itself due to any number of catalysts, or it has simply become active.

Deficiency?

Studies in London has shown that most people who have recurring fever blisters are low in Vitamin B12. Doctors have recommended that in order to correct this problem, a person must take a supplement of vitamin B12.

Your health standards and eating habits may also affect the frequency of your cold sores. Lysine, and amino acids arganine plays an important part in restricting the activity of the simplex herpes virus. Lysine prevents the growth of the herpes virus while amino acids arganine makes it flourish.

Nuts, whole wheat products, oatmeal, grains, and peas are foods which are high in arganine. So avoid them as this will increase your chances of getting cold sores. Coffee can also increase the appearance of cold sores.

Cold sores in the mouth are very uncomfortable and unattractive. People will definitely glance at you as you are walking down the street. Do not take fever blisters lightly because it is highly contagious. Kissing, skin to skin contact can spread cold sores. Face towels, dishes, glasses, and utensils used by a person with cold sores should be separated from those who do not have one.

Cold sores have a prevention program that can minimize all the flare ups. Stress, sun exposure, and razors, can cause a cold sore to suddenly appear. So try and avoid those mentioned above. A razor is unavoidable so use a shaving cream and apply aloe gel after every shave.

If you often have cold sores in your mouth, then it will be a good idea to boost your immune system by taking vitamin c supplements. Goldenseal and Echinacea will also aid your immune system fight off the simplex herpes virus.

Remember, fever blisters have no cure. The best thing you can do is to try and prevent the next out break by safe guarding yourself. There are a lot of cold sore cure you can use for cold sores in your mouth, just be sure it is also edible, as you will be placing it in your mouth.

Zit Or Cold Sore On Your Nose?

April 28th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The occurrence of a cold sore on your nose also known as sun or fever blisters is the result of widespread herpes simplex virus that usually spreads to different parts of the face, particularly on the nose and mouth. Although there are two kinds of herpes simplex virus or HSV, namely HSV-1 and HSV-2, the HSV-1 is more commonly associated on the face. Most patients that are affected of this virus are those who become sexually active and begin to engage in sexual-oriented practices.

Symptoms relating to cold sores on your nose include sore throat that prevents the person from swallowing normally, there are also symptoms of fever, fever-like flu’s, and blisters that start from tiny cracks on the skin. These blisters can also develop inside the mouth on the tongue and gums. Neck pains may also be experienced through this illness.

In order to avoid these common cases of cold sore on your nose, one must avoid sharing personal items such as toothbrush and face towels from other people. Avoid kissing people who have infections like these, and most importantly, avoid engaging in oral sex.

Recurrences can also happen to patients having overcome this situation through extreme exposure to sunlight, too much use of cosmetics and cuts and lesions. But on a lighter note, cold sores on your nose can be diagnosed easily especially when the infection has just become active. Through certain therapies and medicine, this virus can easily be averted and stopped. The use of anti-viral treatments is one of the fastest ways of relief in dealing with this virus.

One can only imagine the impact of this herpes simplex virus, not just through medical state but also emotional as well. Through constant social interaction, one may be unable to function properly to its peers, resulting to insecurity and low self-esteem. It can also hamper one’s ability to interact with the opposite sex, creating a sense of failure that may lead to regret and uncertainty of oneself.

Through the proper practice of hygiene and self awareness, one can prevent having a cold sore on your nose. Doing daily regiments taking vitamins, baths and regular hand washing may slim down chances of attaining this kind of virus. To top it all, prevention is better than cure.

Are there cold sores on your face?

April 24th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

One common cause of cold sores on your face is stress. Most cold sores occur during the cold season. Mental stress sometimes gives way to physical manifestations especially during special events like social gatherings, and weddings, among other factors.

In the event of stress, the body becomes acid, thus creating an opportunity for viruses to thrive. The body that maintains a pH balance of 7 is neutral, lower than that could result to more acid, higher than that may result to higher alkaline level in the body, but the ideal optimum pH level is 7.4.

Allegedly, the possible solution in preventing cold sores on your face is to maintain the use of a hand sanitizer, which kills the germs and bacteria from your hands. This is one of the quickest remedies one can think of. Another treatment solution is taking supplements such as, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc.

One can also try some traditional treatments for cold sores on your face by using certain herbs and plants like aloe, Chaparral, Lemon balm, mint, sage, and tea. Also, one can try acidophilus capsules, Camphor oil, Cornstarch and DMSO, also known as dimethyl sulfoxide. Another common method is by rubbing ice on the affected area.

Cold sores on your face has about 5 stages, the first one is the tingle stage which the cold sore is developing. The second stage is the blister stage where appearance of fluid is visible. The third is the weeping stage where an ulcer is being formed. Fourth is the crusting stage wherein the ulcer becomes dry and begins to dry out and scab over. The last one is the healing stage where the scabs flake off and replaced by a new layer of skin.

In Conclusion:

Cold sores on your face may be prevented through the proper practice of hygiene and taking vitamins religiously. Washing one’s hands is detrimental in preventing the occurrences of cold sores.

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