Cold Sore Stages

Although the intensity of cold sore symptoms can vary greatly, everyone goes through the same cold sore stages from the time of infection until their last outbreak.

Cold Sore First Stage: Tingling, Itching, or Burning

Cold sore stages pictures can show us more about what to expect. We can see a normal mouth with no visible changes during the first stage. Tingling, itching, or burning signal the beginning of a cold sore before it is visible. People with recurring outbreaks often learn to recognise the signs during the first stage. This usually happens about 24 hours before blisters appear. At this stage, treatment is a preventive measure, and can sometimes stop the virus from erupting and prevent it from advancing to the second stage. Even if the blister still appears, treatment can lessen the severity and duration of the outbreak.

Cold Sore Second Stage: The Appearance of Fluid Filled Blisters

The second stage usually starts one or two days after the first stage has begun. This is when the blister(s) first appear on your skin, and the area around and under the blisters will begin to appear red.

You can still apply cold sore treatment after blisters appear or during any of the more advanced stages, but it is best to start the treatment as early as possible. Early treatment helps to eliminate any cold sore swelling and pain that accompanies the blisters. Different people experience different levels of discomfort from cold sore blisters. Those with one cold sore might have minimal discomfort. Someone with 2 or 3 cold sores at once will probably have more pain, not to mention more embarrassment due to the increased visibility of the symptoms.

It is important to stay hydrated during the second stage. Increase your water intake and take measures to prevent the spread of the herpes virus. Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water after handling the area. Also, avoid citrus, salty, and spicy foods, and hot liquids that might add to your discomfort.

Cold sores are highly contagious. Remember that any contact you have with another person can easily transit the virus to them.

Cold Sore Third Stage: Weeping

A few days after the blisters appear, the cold sore breaks open and the fluid will run out. The blisters turn into flat, red lesions that are painful. When the fluid is weeping from the sores, they are at their most contagious. Avoid touching the area and don’t pick at the sores. The infection might spread or you may develop a secondary bacterial skin infection.

Cold Sore Fourth Stage: Crusting

Once the weeping stage ends, the blister begins to dry and crust over. During the crusting stage, the blisters will turn from red to yellow or brown.

Cold Sore Fifth Stage: The Scabs Fall Off and the Healing Begins

Finally, the lesions begin to heal. They scab over and begin flaking away until they gradually disappear.

Cold Sore FAQs

The cold sore life cycle may last between 2 and 4 weeks although recurring infections might last a week or less. Over time, outbreaks often strike farther apart and become shorter in duration. Taking precautions to prevent spreading, and using an effective cold sore treatment during the early stages, can help keep the outbreaks at a minimum.
Herpes viruses spread from skin to skin contact. It’s also possible to get the HSV 1 virus that causes cold sores from by an infected person’s toothbrush, eating utensils, or other personal items. The lips and mouth are often the point of contact at which the person acquires the virus, and it can also be transmitted via your saliva, even if you never experience any symptoms from it. As a result, it is more likely to cause an outbreak in and around your mouth and lips. Also, in the winter when you get dry, chapped lips, a cold sore outbreak is more likely.
The name of “cold sores” gives us the wrong impression about what causes the blisters to develop. They don’t have anything to do with colds. The herpes virus that causes cold sores is not only common in this country, but in countries around the world. Nearly every adult will have at least one cold sore during their lifetime. The virus becomes dormant soon after it enters the body, often going unnoticed for long periods of time. It isn’t until something triggers the virus and “wakes it up” that an infection begins.
Even if you’ve never experienced a cold sore before, you might have an initial outbreak during a time of stress, an illness or injury, or even extensive sun exposure. If you are one of the unlucky people who experiences frequent, severe cold sore outbreaks, this is probably due to exposure to your triggers.
To help get recurrent episodes under control, use an effective cold sore treatment at the first signs of a cold sore. Keep a notebook and write down everything you do and what you eat. This will help you identify your triggers so that you can avoid the cause of your outbreaks. Once you have the herpes virus, there is no cure to get rid of it. But taking the right precautions can help reduce the risk of complications, and keep you from spreading the germ to other areas of your skin or to other people.
When you use Dynamiclear cold sore treatment, you can make your cold sore gone in 2 days! The treatment stops transmission, reduces healing time, and works during any of the cold sore stages. It also has antifungal and anti-bacterial properties that prevent the risk of secondary infections. There’s even a pain reliever to help you deal with the discomfort caused by cold sore breakouts.
The HSV 1 virus that causes cold sores can’t be cured; but it can be treated so that you have more control over your pain, swelling, and the appearance of cold sore lesions. Make sure you have cold sore treatment on hand for the next time a cold sore makes an appearance.

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