Cold Sore Basics

Have you suffered from the painful effects of a cold sore? Well, if you have you're not alone. Over 60 million people will develop a cold sore this year alone. How do people get a cold sore, and more importantly, how to get rid of cold sore once it does appear? Here's a quick rundown on the cold sore basics to hopefully give you some answers to the many questions you might have.

How Do You Get A Cold Sore?

There are several different reasons why people get cold sores. The number one cause is stress. If you happen to be going through a very stressful time in your life, the chances of a cold sore developing multiply significantly. Why? It's due to your immunity being low because of the stress. Your body is fighting to keep up. Another reason is too much sunlight. Some reasons include illness, fevers, and much to the surprise of many, it can even come from eating too much chocolate.  

Is A Cold Sore Contagious?

Yes, cold sores can be very contagious. Do your best in preventing spreading the infection by sharing glasses, utensils, toothbrushes, towels, etc. You especially should avoid kissing anyone. 

How Long Are Cold Sores Contagious For?

Generally speaking, a cold sore will last upwards of 2 weeks, sometimes longer in extreme cases. The key in treating one is to catch it early and begin treatment immediately. This alone can be a significant factor in reducing the time of duration. In fact, in many instances it can reduce the time to only 3-5 days total. Again, the key is to begin treating it as soon as you notice something is not right, or you start to feel a little discomfort.

How Do You Tell If It Is A Cold Sore Or A Canker Sore?

The difference is pretty easy to notice. A canker sore will appear on the inside of your mouth or gums and is caused by bacteria. A cold sore is will usually always appear on the outside of your mouth and is created from a viru. With that said though, you can find times when a cold sore could form on the roof of your mouth, although this is rare.

How To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore?

Probably the most common question asked is "How to get rid of a cold sore?" Although it is important to understand that there is no complete cold sore cure or way of preventing one from forming, there are some good products available that will remove the pain and help speed up the healing process. Some of these methods will reduce the healing time to as little as 2-5 days.