There are some steps to take to learn how to get rid of a cold sore. These ugly blisters are frequently mistaken for canker sores and vice versa. A canker sore is a bacterial infection that occurs inside or very close to the mouth. They tend to be white in color. A cold sore is red in color, occurs around the mouth and nose and is a pussy blister. Many times the beginnings of an eruption may be like a patch of irritated skin in which you may feel some itching or burning.
The problem is caused by the herpes type 1 virus and once you have this virus there is no getting rid of it. This virus will remain in your nervous system forever. You will frequently get them and you may not be able to prevent them but you can treat them so that they quickly go away. You may also be able to notice and stay away of certain things or events that may trigger an outbreak.
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t want to rub, scratch or touch the areas involved. Cold sores are spread by physical contact and you can spread the virus to the rest of your face causing even more of them to form. Cleaning the affected area with hot soapy water is the best way to sterilize and treat them. The hot water and soap clear away the puss and minimize the infection. It is important to be gentle and not over scrub.
There are certain products that contain petroleum-based ingredients, which promote faster healing. Neosporin is one such product that will seal in the herpes virus to that one spot, keep out other infections as well as not irritating your skin further.
Many times stress, menstruation, acid foods, salty foods, anxiety and exposure to weather can cause cold sores to appear. If you know what causes your outbreaks try to avoid this behavior and if you think you are getting an outbreak you should start the cold sore treatment before any of these nasties appear.
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