Cold sores: Knowing the symptoms

The symptoms of cold sores are quite evident actually, as the condition primarily affects the facial skin, it becomes obvious. The symptoms include small, fluid-filled bumps or blisters on an inflamed skin; the area becomes unusually red and bumpy. It is also very painful at times.

Chronic pain and tingling sensation persists, also known as prodrome. The pain might precede the blisters within a day or two. It takes usually 10-14 days for a person to recover from the condition.

Cold sores are commonly seen on the lips. They might as well appear on the chin, fingers or nostrils occasionally. In some rare cases, you might find them inside the mouth as well or on the gums or even the roof of the mouth. Sores that affect the soft tissues inside the mouth are usually more painful.

The body usually does not react to the herpes simplex virus immediately after it has infected the body; it takes more than 15 days for the cold sores to appear after the virus has actually entered your system. Although the sores might clear up within a week or two, the blisters, the marks and the frequent oozing of fluid might continue for a couple of days.