Puzzled about cold sore symptoms? If you want to know the truth, read this wonderful article and discover what to expect from your cold sore symptoms.

Below I would like to reveal the cold sore symptoms the majority of people experience. It is most likely yours will be quite the same.

Here are the five main cold sore symptoms you will see.

1. YOUR FIRST SIGN OF ATTACK FROM COLD SORES.

The first indication of evolving cold sores is barely noticeable. The site where the sore will form starts to feel odd. You might notice a slight itching, burning or tingling.

Your future outbreak site may feel dry or chapped.

You become aware something is manifesting beneath the skin. The herpes simplex virus is moving to the surface and infecting those nerve cells for the purpose of making new virus.

You can get immediate relief by applying ice or other frozen or cold object. Don’t be fooled. Ice is a tremendous cold sore treatment that can slow down – or even stop – cold sores from developing.

2. SWOLLEN TISSUE AND PIMPLE-LIKE BUMPS.

After the tingling phase, you may notice some hard little red bumps will appear. Along with these, swelling occurs as the cells fill up with new virus. Keep using ice to reduce pain and swelling.

You will probably experience fever and headache during this stage. The lymph glands under the jaw will become inflamed as your system battles the herpes infection.

3. COLD SORES BURST OPEN.

Once your invaded cells cannot hold any more virus, they burst open. A clear fluid will weep from this sore as your body tries frantically to rinse away the virus.

This can be your most painful period. Nerve endings are damaged and exposed because all oral herpes cold sores and fever blisters form on the end of a nerve fiber.

You are contagious for the entire duration of your cold sores, but this is the worst time. The fluid flowing from the sore is swarming with fresh virus looking for a new site or person to infect.

4. DAMAGE IS DONE – NOW HEALING CAN BEGIN.

The beginning of healing occurs once your cold sores break open. Your health level – and the cold sore treatment you use – will now affect the speed of your healing.

Once healing starts, quit using ice. Use heat instead. Your best bet is to use warm tea bags. Tea contains healing and anti-virus properties.

Your body first covers the wound with a scab to protect the repairs beneath. If the scab becomes dry, painful cracking will occur – slowing down healing.

You can help keep the crust soft and flexible by applying olive, garlic or oregano oil. This will reduce cracking, keep the virus at bay and speed the healing process.

5. YOUR FINAL DAYS OF HEALING COLD SORES.

New skin is being created under the scab. The scab will usually lift off in a week (more or less) revealing this fresh skin.

But please continue to be very careful.

You will notice the new skin has a reddish look. This means there is still activity underneath. Herpes virus can still be present. You are contagious until redness is totally gone.

Your final healing period may feel to be taking forever. Yes, it is frustrating because you feel fine. But take care because you still can re-infect yourself or newly infect someone else.

Be vigilant. Cold sores can easily rekindle. It is very discouraging when this happens.

These are the cold sore symptoms you will most likely encounter. If your symptoms are terribly different, then go to your professional health care consultant.

You can prevent these cold sore symptoms in your life. Yes, you can eliminate the pain and misery of cold sores if you treat the symptoms with proper cold sore treatment methods in a timely manner.

You should be able to eliminate cold sore symptoms in your life very easily with just a little research and a good cold sore treatment.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 at 4:17 pm and is filed under Diseases & Illness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.