While there are several products available that can be used to treat cold sores, none of these are true cold sores cures. The fact remains that once we become infected with the herpes simplex virus we remain infected for life and any treatment is focused on clearing the symptoms of an outbreak.
The good news is that most people who contract the virus do not suffer regular outbreaks, which is just as well given that up to ninety percent of the US population is infected with herpes simplex. Most people catch it in childhood by being kissed by an infected adult and those who do suffer regular outbreaks will suffer one attack every 10 months on average, although chronic sufferers may expect 3 or 4 attacks per year.
When an outbreak does occur cold sore treatments can help reduce pain and swelling, while acting on the virus. Usually it lies dormant in the nerve cells, only becoming active when the immune system is compromised for some reason, typically due to a cold or flu, but also due to stress, overtiredness or menstruation. When the virus becomes active it is able to move towards the surface of the skin, where it destroys skin cells, causing the blister and lesion. As the virus makes it way to the skin surface many sufferers experience a tingling sensation.
Treatments can be conventional or alternative in nature, with many people benefiting from remedies that may date back to Roman times. Some people experience side effects from conventional treatments, and that combined with their relative expense means that for many alternative remedies are a more attractive option.
Until medical research makes advances that lead to real cold sore cures, symptomatic treatments for cold sores will be here to stay. However, if you do suffer frequently from outbreaks it may pay to evaluate your lifestyle and identify any triggers. By changing your behavior you may be able to reduce the incidence of cold sore outbreaks.
