Curb your outbreaks and respond promptly at the first sign of a cold sore  eruption.

Cold sores are also known as fever blisters. In addition to emerging on the lips, it can sometimes appear inside the mouth, around the teeth and gums.

As well as on the face, inside or on the nose or sometimes  anywhere on the body.

Usually a cold sore may start with symptoms of throbbing, tingling, itch, or burning on the lip; that subsequently becomes red, tender painful with an unattractive blister that turns into the full blown cold sore.

A fluid filled blister develops and the blisters form a crusty scab after a few days. The scab eventually falls off leaving no visible scarring. Usually a cold sore will heal in about one week or ten days. When healed the virus goes dormant.

Recurrence is uncertain in terms of number and frequency of attacks.You may develop a cold sore that heals and may go for months or years without any further occurrences.

But, eventually, the symptoms return causing a new outbreak of blisters and sores. A reactivation of the virus often appears at the most inconvenient times. You'll need to be alert to the early warning signs that a cold sore is about to show up.

In general however, cold sores seem to be brought on'

• by fever,
• stress,
• other infections,
• sometimes cold weather,
• hormone changes 
• certain foods.

Usually you may experience symptoms at the site of a prior cold sore either a few hours or days preceding a new outbreak. You have to be vigilant if you want to curb an outbreak by dealing swiftly with interventions as soon as symptoms begin to appear.

Early initiation of a treatment plan can be beneficial since it may help to reduce pain and quicken healing time. Unfortunately, there are no cures for this virus and you may suffer a spate of flare-ups in a row.

Be alert to the risks of flare-ups by managing the factors that give rise to its emergence.

Cold sores are contagious therefore, care in personal hygiene is important. Always remember to wash your hands frequently during an infection. Be especially careful about touching your eye area because eye damage can be the result of a herpes infection.

Seek medical advice, especially if there is an increase in the number of cold sores you are experiencing. Your health care provider may order an antiviral medication and investigate the reasons for any upsurge in cold sores.