Understanding the Stages of a Cold Sore

Indeed there are six cold sore stages, but most books and guides talk about the five cold sore stages only. Never demonstrating signs or symptoms including any pain, stage 6 is in fact the first one. At this point in time a cold sore is present but not visible, and is therefore in the inactive stage. At this point the herpes virus that’s responsible for cold sores is not active and is hiding in the nerve ganglia. A third of those who contract the virus show no signs of it progressing to another stage. When somebody has a cold sore, it’s not always identified. The [reason for this is that No action or medicine is required throughout this frequently permanent cold sore stage, at least until the virus progresses.

Prodome is the name given to the first of the palpable cold sore stages. The dormant virus wakes up and moves to the exterior of your face through the nerve endings. This takes place in the start stage of a cold sore. You will know that the virus is activating when you start to feel tingling or burning, or notice exorbitant itchiness or drying. Two days is the standard time for this and then you will move into the next stage.

After the first stage of cold sores comes the second which is called inflammation or a “pre-sore.” The nerve cells are infected by the virus, oftentimes resulting in redness and irritation. The first small blisters to appear on the skin are pimple-like, generally in small clusters, and painful to the touch. At this stage headaches and fevers often start.

The third stage of your cold sore’s path occurs when you see the small pimples bursting open and becoming one large, open sore. The patient may be bedridden during this painful cold sore stage. At this stage, any discharge is probably to contain viruses, hence, this is the most contagious period. It can infect any other part of your body that’s touched or it will infect anyone that comes in touch with it.

Scab formation is the fourth cold sore stage. This stage has a considerable amount of discomfort, particularly with movement, as the scab begins to crack. When the pus is seeping from the sore it is still in a very contagious stage. During this phase, you may see the formation of a scab and have it fall off up to 4 times. Next you will probably feel discomfort from the new skin developing under the scab and this can become quite itchy.

The cold sore is near healing when the scab falls off and new skin is exposed. The recovery is complete when the new skin regenerates and the millions of damaged or dead cells are replaced. You’ll no doubt be very pleased that you don’t in fact feel this final process happening, and any tenderness remaining ought to subside within a couple of weeks.

There are a number of really effective ways to help cure cold sores, right in your own home. From garlic to aloe vera for cold sore relief, there’s something that should work for you. Learn more at Home Remedies for Cold Sores.