The Stages of Cold Sores

Cold sores are a common problem for many individuals and once you get them, they always seem to come back. The fact is the virus that causes cold sores, herpes simplex virus type one (HSV-1), is extremely common and there is no cure for it. It remains dormant in your system and can be triggered by a variety of things, such as stress and fatigue.

Stage 1 – Tingling

You will start to notice a type of irritant under your skin that can be defined as an itching, burning, or tingling. This is a warning that a cold sore is going to develop in that area.

Stage 2 – Blistering

After a couple of days, the blistering stage of the cold sore will begin. You will see a small, fluid-based blister appear in the affected area. Most commonly, they are on the border of the lips and face, but they can develop in other areas of the face as well.

Stage 3 – Weeping

By the fourth day, the blisters will start to burst. What is left behind is a rather painful open sore, known as an ulcer. This is when the cold sore is at its most contagious, and it is very important to make sure you do not come into mouth contact with others and that you wash your hands thoroughly whenever you touch your mouth.

Stage 4 – Crusting

Eventually, the blister will start to dry up, forming a yellow or brown-colored crust. This generally starts to take place around day five and will last several days. There is no need to pull off the crust, as it will fall off on its own.

Stage 5 – Healing

After a week, the natural healing process of the cold sore begins and it will last several days, with the entire state process taking anywhere from two to four weeks. The scabs will continue to fall off, only to be replaced by a smaller scab, until the entire sore is healed.

Will the Cold Sore Come Back?

Because of the nature of the virus, in most cases, yes, they will come back. But, there are some things you can do to help them heal quicker and even avoid them from coming back all the time.

Since they are often triggered by stress, try to avoid stressful situations whenever possible. There are also numerous over the counter applications that can be used to speed up the healing process.

Because of the contagious nature of cold sores, it is recommended that you replace your toothbrush once the cold sore has healed. We recommend doing this during any type of illness.

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