Are cold sores caused by stress?

Question

I've been under some stress lately and I have a cold sore on my lip . Could it be a result of the stress ? Does anyone know how to get rid of it any faster ? It's really painful .

Answer 1

Yes they are most definately caused by stress. I've been getting them my whole life and the only thing I have found (I've used EVERYTHING) that really helps get rid of them fast is St. John's Wart. I get the liquid and apply it as soon as I feel one coming on and it usually doesn't stay very long. It burns like crazy sometimes but it's worth 2 seconds of pain to slow down a week of pain.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

A cold sore, sometimes called a “fever blister,” is a blister or sore which usually appears on the outside of the lips or mouth. It is different from a canker sore, which appears inside the mouth. Cold sores may appear just once in a person’s life, or return again and again. Before you actually get a cold sore, you may feel a tingling, itching, or burning sensation beneath the surface of the skin, usually around the mouth or base of the nose. This is the first sign of a cold sore, called the prodrome stage.

Cold sores are extremely common – it is estimated that, in the United States,
80%-90% of the population has been infected by the cold sore virus by the time they are 50 years old. Only about 30% of those infected with the virus actually ever get a cold sore.

Cold sores are caused by a virus and are considered a medical condition. Cold sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is part of the same family that causes chickenpox, shingles (herpes zoster), and genital herpes (HSV-2).

Cold sores can be different for each person, but, in general, an outbreak lasts about 7 to 10 days and occurs 3 or 4 times a year. Although experts still don’t know all of the ways a cold sore can be triggered, some of the things that can cause a cold sore include:
Stress, tiredness, or being “run-down”
A cold, fever, or the flu
Exposure to the sun
Hormonal changes, such as from menstruation or pregnancy
Trauma, such as shaving, cuts, dental work, facial/cosmetic surgery

Answer 3

Yes.. Cold sores are usually triggered by stress. It is the herpes simplex virus that caused it, and you can use several methods. I have had cold sores since the age of 2, and I know how to get rid of them.

When you first feel it coming on, put an ice cube on it for a while, or you can use a tea bag. Both of these will minimize thesize of it. You can't really get rid of a cold sore, but it helps if you can get it do dry up. If you put meat tenderizer paste ( the dry granuals, and mix water in with it) on it, it will help as well. If you want, you can use medicine. I have found abreva to be very helpful. You put it on I think, 5 times a day, but I do more than the directions say to, and it seems to work well. It usually costs about 12 dollars for a tiny 1 oz. tube, so use sparingly!

I hope that my answer was benfitial to you. Don't get so stressed out! Take some time to do what you like to do best. Chill, baby!

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Answer 8

My son suffers from occassional cold sore outbreaks. His doctor told us that cold sores are a result of a dormant virus. Stress can cause the virus to become active and a cold sore breaks out.

Abreva is a good OTC medication to try. Otherwise you will need to see a doctor.

Answer 9

Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are clusters of small blisters on the lip and outer edge of the mouth. The skin around the blisters is often red and inflamed. The blisters can break open, weep a clear fluid, and then scab over after a few days. Complete healing may take 7 to 10 days.What causes cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-1 usually leads to lip and mouth sores (herpes labialis), while HSV-2 most often leads to genital herpes. However, both virus types can cause cold sores or genital herpes if skin comes into contact with either type.

What are the symptoms?

You can be infected with HSV and have no symptoms. For some people, however, cold sores can be painful. Initial symptoms can include mouth soreness, fever, sore throat, or swollen lymph glands. Small children sometimes drool before a cold sore appears. After the blisters develop, cold sores usually break open, weep clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after several days to a week.

How are cold sores diagnosed?

Your health professional can diagnose cold sores by asking you questions to determine whether you have been exposed to the HSV and by examining you. No further testing is usually needed.

How are cold sores treated?

Cold sores will usually go away on their own within a few days. However, if they are severe or cause you embarrassment or discomfort, cold sores can be treated. Treatment may include topical creams or ointments or sometimes antiviral medicines (such as acyclovir or famciclovir). Treatment may lessen the duration of the cold sores by only 1 to 2 days, but can help soothe painful blisters or other uncomfortable symptoms.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) that causes cold sores cannot be cured. If sores develop regularly, treatment can reduce the number and severity of outbreaks.

How are cold sores spread?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) usually enters your body through a break in the skin around or inside your mouth. It is spread through coughing, sneezing, direct contact with a cold sore, or touching contaminated fluid—such as from kissing an infected person and touching their saliva.

The virus can also be spread from one person to an area of someone else's body by touching an active cold sore or sharing things that a person who has a cold sore has used. A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to his or her child.

Answer 10

Cold sores are caused by a virus. Stress will aggravate the problem. Blistex is a pretty good ointment to use. Follow package directions and no prescription is needed.