A small red blisters, which are mostly found either the outer edge of lips or the other part of the skin which are immediately nearby the mouth, is known as a cold sores. The alternative name of this disease is fever blisters or Night Fever.

Causes of cold sores

Cold sores are a very common illness. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is very painful. A cold sore is a small blood blister. Cold sores can be seen one at a time or in small bunches. Some times these are filled with fluid. Cold sores are different from canker sores. There are two types of HSV virus.

a) HSV 1 - It affects only those body tissues which lie above the waistline. Maximum cases of cold sores are caused by HSV1 virus.

b) HSV 2 – This is also known as “genital herpes”. It affects those body tissues which lie below the waistline.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of cold sores are include the fallowing characteristics-

1) Headache, fever, pain upon swallowing and irritability.
2) A small and painful red blister on outer edge of your lips.
3) after two or three days of infection there is number of tiny blisters are found.
4) After sometimes these blisters are convert into gray colored ulcers.

Treatment of cold sores

As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to start the treatment. Treatment of cold sores may include -
1) you can take antiviral topical ointments like acyclovir and penciclovir.
2) Antiviraloral medications such as famciclovir, acyclovir and valaciclovir can also helps in the treatment of cold sores.

Prevention

Try to avoid direct contact with the sores .always clean your hand after touching the lips. never picking the sores. Always take nutritious diet and get enough sleep.