What Can I Do If I Have A Cold Sore
For most kids, the sores go away on their own without any special treatment from a doctor. If you get a cold sore, try holding some ice wrapped in cloth or a cool washcloth on the sore. It also might help to eat a popsicle.
Sometimes, if the cold sores are making a kid sick, a doctor may prescribe a special medicine that fights the herpes simplex virus. Some kids may take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if their sores are painful.
While youre waiting for the cold sore to go away, wash your hands well and often and dont pick at it. Youll only get in the way of your bodys natural healing process. Picking at a cold sore is also bad news because its easy to spread the virus to other parts or your body, like your fingers or eyes. Worse yet, you might spread the virus to other people. No one will thank you for giving them a cold sore!
Other Triggers Of Cold Sores
Stress is not the only psychological factor that can trigger your outbreak other factors like fatigue and hormonal changes can also cause cold sores. For instance, menstruation disrupts the overall hormonal buildup in ladies when they are on their period, and these changes can affect the immune system.
Besides these psychological factors, some environmental factors can also trigger your cold sore outbreak.
Staying out of the sun is good advice if you know you are prone to cold sores. Sunlight may be an excellent way to boost vitamin D supply to your body, but it can also make you susceptible to an outbreak. On the flip side, cold weather could also trigger your outbreaks, as many people find themselves getting bumps during the winter months.
Where Else Might It Strike
Your eyes: This is called ocular herpes, and it most often affects the cornea. Itâs the leading infectious cause of corneal blindness in the U.S., so get treatment as soon as possible. Herpetic whitlow is a painful condition that affects your fingers. Kids often get it when they have a cold sore and suck their fingers or thumb.
You May Like: Can Stress And Anxiety Cause Stomach Problems
How To Cure Cold Sores
Unfortunately, if you have been infected with the herpes simplex virus , the virus will remain dormant in your body forever. From time to time in periods of stress, it can reactivate, triggering cold sores. Doctors believe that people experience recurring cold sores due to a genetic mutation affecting the immune system. Most people will only experience a few cold sore flare ups in their lifetime.
You May Like: Can You Get Acne From Stress
Can Stress Cause Cold Sores
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. As if we needed something else to stress over! Alongside internal factors like anxiety, hormonal changes, and exhaustion, stress is a common condition that can trigger the development of cold sore symptoms. 1 Because prolonged stress levels can weaken the immune system 2 and shifts in immune function can trigger the dormant cold sore virus, you can experience a cold sore outbreak even without coming into physical contact with bodily fluids. 3 Whats more, those who have weakened immune systems are also more susceptible to complications from the cold sore virus.4
Don’t Miss: How Do I Relieve Stress And Anxiety
Herpes Caused By Stress: How To Treat It
The treatment of herpes due to stress always involves understanding one crucial aspect. To date, we still dont fully understand the mechanism by which these types of viruses work. However, their main characteristic is that they often remain dormant and appear unexpectedly.
Making them disappear is almost impossible and, thus, you might end up getting used to them popping up when youre sick, when your defenses are low, or when you have an emotional disorder. Thats why the most important thing you need to do is take care of your physical and emotional health.
Good nutrition, protection against sexually transmitted diseases, and regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are the best options. However, having some basic strategies to deal with daily stress is also essential. Heres some simple advice.
- You must practice good mental hygiene. In other words, watch what you think and say to yourself. Negative inner dialogue and irrational thoughts are two of your greatest enemies.
- You must learn to solve problems before they pile up. Facing daily challenges with calm, security, resolve, and originality can help you.
- Relaxation, meditation, and breathing techniques are very healthy everyday habits.
- Having someone to talk to, enjoying moments of leisure, and having time for yourself is essential to achieve a sense of well-being.
When Stress Triggers A Herpes Outbreak These Complementary Therapies May Calm It Down
A healthy lifestyle and the right supplements may offer relief from genital herpes.
A healthy lifestyle and the right supplements may offer relief from genital herpes.
Anna Ivanova/Alamy Alamy
A viral infection causes , and there is no cure for it. But if you have genital , you can use complementary approaches to reduce how often you have outbreaks. Some alternative therapies can also provide relief from discomfort and pain during outbreaks that do occur.
This kind of viral outbreak , and other viruses, like a cold, is usually related to stress and your immunity, says Lucy Gade, MD, MPH, the medical director at the Center for Wellness and Integrative Medicine at Northwell Health, in Oyster Bay, New York. As a result, an alternative medicine approach to herpes treatment involves making smart lifestyle choices to foster your general wellness. In doing so, you bolster your immune systems ability to fight the two viruses that cause herpes, herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2 .
A healthy diet, appropriate sleep, finding ways to decrease in your life These alone will make your herpes outbreaks less frequent, says Dr. Gade. Such healthy habits will also improve your overall well-being, lengthen your life, and boost your happiness.
But first, make sure you have an accurate diagnosis for whats causing your symptoms.
You May Like: What Tea Is Good For Stress And Anxiety
How To Reduce The Risk Of Cold Sores Due To Sun Exposure
Cold sores are caused by a virus and not the sun. The sun just weakens your immune system, tires you out, changes your activities, and dehydrates the body. When your body cant fight against viruses and infections, cold sores can easily appear.
The good news is that you can reduce your risk of cold sores due to sun exposure with HERP-B-GONE or the Virulite Cold Sore Machine. Theyre both FDA-approved treatments, so we know that they work well.
By avoiding most forms of direct sunlight, or protecting your lips with a high-SPF balm, you should be able to avoid this cold sore trigger. If you know that youre prone to cold sore flare-ups after exposure to sunlight, use these preventative tips to lower your risk of infection.
Read This Next
How Can I Stop Cold Sores From Forming
So you nipped your last cold sore flare-up in the bud , and it lasted less than a week but here you are, just a few months later, and the cold sores are back. There’s good news, and then there’s bad news. Let’s start with the bad news.
“Once a person is infected with herpes simplex virus, he or she is infected for life,” says Dr. Brown. “After a cold sore heals, the virus isn’t actually cleared from your body. Instead, the virus travels back into your nerves, where it can lie dormant for long periods of time. When the virus reemerges, it typically does so in the same spot as before.”
So what triggers the virus to reactivate and cause a flare-up?
Dr. Brown says that a cold sore outbreak can be triggered by:
- Fever
Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Stress And Depression
What Is A Cold Sore
Cold sores are small blisters that are reddish and a little painful. Theyre usually on the outer edge of the lip or inside the mouth.
Cold sores can appear one at a time or in little bunches. Theyre filled with fluid, but crust over and form a scab before they go away. They last a week or two and usually dont need any special treatment.
Although theyre called cold sores, you dont need to have a cold to get one. Some people call them fever blisters, but you dont have to have a fever to have one, either.
Also Check: Can Stress Give You Eczema
Do Cold Sores Mean You Have An Std
Having a cold sore does not necessarily mean you have an STD. Most of the cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 , which usually affects the lips and is not generally transmitted by sexual contact. Though less common, cold sores may be caused by another type of herpes simplex virus called HSV-2. This virus usually causes herpes genitalis, which is an STD in the genital area. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be passed on by saliva, body secretions, or oral sex.
You May Like: Does Stress Cause Blurry Vision
Ways To Ease The Effects Of Stress On Your Skin
You probably cant avoid stress completely, but you can try ways to handle it better. Try these approaches:
What Are The Best Ways To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for cold sores, and it can take between two to four weeks for a cold sore to heal on its own. But, there are things you can do to make them go away faster.
Here are three things that can help soothe a cold sore or make it clear up faster:
1. Try home remedies. When used early, there are several remedies that can help ease the pain and reduce swelling and may even shorten the duration of a cold sore:
- Cold, damp washcloth
- Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen
2. Apply topical creams and ointments. There are a few over-the-counter anesthetic ointments and creams that can help control pain, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Some products, such as those containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol, may even promote faster healing when used early and in plentiful amounts.
3. Take prescription medications. There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you’re having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication.
“To get rid of a cold sore quickly, the best thing you can do is start treating it as soon as possible,” says Dr. Brown. “A burning or tingling sensation on your lips or face can be an early warning sign that a cold sore is developing, and the earlier you start reducing swelling and treating the cold sore, the faster it will heal.”
Read Also: Can You Regrow Hair Loss From Stress
Can My Cold Sore Give Someone Genital Herpes
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, while genital herpes is usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 2. Although these viruses are different, it is possible for a person with a cold sore to transfer the herpes virus to the genitals of another person through skin-to-skin contact such as oral sex.
What Are Cold Sores
Cold sores are small blisters around the mouth, caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are sometimes called fever blisters. The most common strain of the virus causing cold sores is herpes simplex virus 1. It can be spread by kissing or sharing eating utensils or even sharing towels.
Herpes simplex is not curable, but may lie dormant for a long time. Episodes of the cold sores last no longer than 2 weeks. Hot sun, cold wind, a cold or other illness, or a weak immune system can cause an outbreak of herpes simplex virus.
Don’t Miss: Can Stress Bring On Vertigo
What Are The Symptoms Of Canker Sores
You may have a canker sore if you have:
- A painful sore or sores inside your mouth on the tongue, soft palate or inside your cheeks.
- A tingling or burning sensation prior to the appearance of the sores.
- Sores in your mouth that are round, white, or gray in color, with a red edge or border.
In severe attacks, you may also experience:
- Fever.
Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Them
About two-thirds of us have been infected with the HSV-1 virus. It usually comes via well-meaning kisses from relatives or romantic partners. So why do only an unlucky few get cold sores? The answer may be in your genes. Most of the people who get cold sores share genes that may relate to how HSV-1 acts in your body. This could be what causes outbreaks.
Also Check: How To Let Go Of Anger And Stress
Stress The Root Cause Of Your Cold
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
Can stress be the root cause of your cold symptoms?
Daylight Saving Time officially ended this past Sunday and grogginess and fatigue are common side effects. Having said that, with a week nearly having passed, you should be feeling back to normal by now. However, if feeling tired and ill has become an everyday factor in your life, then there may be some very important dots to connect.
Its very easy to look at symptoms as isolated incidents. You might think, oh, Im just not feeling well, or Ive just got a little hint of the flu. But the aching muscles, sniffling nose, general fatigue, and lack of motivation can also be symptoms of stress.
Noticing patterns in your life can be far more difficult than it sounds. We often like to think that we know ourselves better than anyone else, but it can be easy to overlook how certain events and circumstances in your lifework, finances, relationshipsmight be adversely affecting your health.
I bring this up because Wednesday was National Stress Day in the United Kingdom, but as you know, stress is a major part of American life as well.
When To Be Concerned
If your cold sore does not go away within two weeks, you should contact your health care provider. People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for complications from cold sores than others.
Other things to watch for and seek medical treatment for include:
- Infection or blisters on the eye
- Cold sores all over the body
Recommended Reading: Can Stress Cause Eye Problems
How Can Stress Cause Cold Sores
Stress affects our skin in many ways. More often than not, these ways are harmful and damaging. Our bodies arent meant to deal with constant stress. But, in a world that moves so quickly, its impossible not to experience it from time to time. Fever blister flare-ups are just one way that our body responds. If you already have the HSV-1 virus inside you, flare-ups can happen anytime.
Stress can push these outbreaks along by weakening our immune system. The cells our body uses to fight back against such things are compromised, in a way. This allows the virus to sneak its way through. That doesnt mean youll get multiple cold sores.
Cold Sores: Discovery Reveals How Stress Illness And Even Sunburn Trigger Flareups
- Date:
- University of Virginia Health System
- Summary:
- The finding could lead to new ways to prevent cold sores and herpes-related eye disease from reoccurring, the researchers report.
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have shed light on what causes herpes simplex virus to flare up, explaining how stress, illness and even sunburn can trigger unwanted outbreaks.
The discovery could lead to new ways to prevent cold sores and herpes-related eye disease from reoccurring, the researchers report.
“Herpes simplex recurrence has long been associated with stress, fever and sunburn,” said researcher Anna R. Cliffe, PhD, of UVA’s Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology. “This study sheds light on how all these triggers can lead to herpes simplex-associated disease.”
About Herpes Simplex Recurrence
Once you’re infected with herpes simplex virus — and more half of Americans are — the virus never really goes away. Instead, it lurks inside neurons, waiting for the right moment to strike again, a process known as reactivation.
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are one of the most common symptoms of HSV reactivation. Recurrent reactivation in the eye leads to herpes keratitis, which, if left untreated, can result in blindness. HSV infection has also been linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Story Source:
Read Also: Can Too Much Stress Lead To Depression
What Causes Canker Sores
The exact cause of most canker sores is unknown. A stress or minor injury to the inside of the mouth is thought to be the cause of simple canker sores. Certain foods including citrus or acidic fruits and vegetables can trigger a canker sore or make the problem worse. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen , is another common cause. Sometimes a sharp tooth surface or dental appliance, such as braces or ill-fitting dentures, might also trigger the sores.
Some cases of complex canker sores are seen in patients with diseases of the immune system. These diseases include lupus, Behcet’s disease, inflammatory bowel diseases and AIDS. Canker sores are also seen in patients with nutritional problems, such as a deficiency in vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid or iron.
