How to Recognize the Beginning Stages of a Cold Sore

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, the virus that causes cold sores, is dormant in the bodies of most people. This isn't the same virus that causes STDs, however, the cold sore infection that it does cause can include a lot of pain and seem debilitating.

You can not really see a cold sore in the beginning stages of a cold sore. The herpes virus can enter your body and remain inactive for a long time waiting for your immune system to become weak enough so that it can attack. During the beginning stage of a cold sore, you will not see any visible signs that you have been infected.

In fact, the only way to know for sure would be to test your blood. However, this option is hardly ever used because without symptoms of cold sores developing, most people do not suspect they have the virus.

If you are experiencing a lot of stress, your body's immune system will be weakened, making it harder to defend itself against an attack by the herpes virus. When the virus begins to attack, you are in the beginning stages of a cold sore. You must go through the beginning stages of a cold sore in order to reach the healing phase of a cold sore.

What Goes On In the Beginning Stages of a Cold Sore?

When a cold sore begins to develop on your skin, you will feel a burning or tingling at the infected area where cold sores will eventually develop. The virus moving from the nerves to your skin's surface causes this irritation. That is right; you can feel when the virus moves to your skin's surface.

Next in the beginning stages of a cold sore, your skin will be visibly red and begin to swell as the infection rises to the surface. Your skin will be sensitive and painful if touched. Sometimes people think they have a rash or an allergy during this stage. However, if you felt the tingling as the virus moved along the nerves, then you will know that you have a cold sore developing. This redness at the beginning stage of a cold sore may last for only a couple of hours or persist over days. It all depends on how strong the virus is and how well your body can fend off the virus's attack.

The final part included in the beginning stages of a cold sore will happen when the cold sore fills with pus. It may appear to look like a pimple on your skin, a very painful one. It will look like it is about to burst. You may have a fever during this stage. Next, the pimple-like area will erupt, letting the pus escape. The area will scab over and allow new skin to develop. The new skin will be sensitive for a few days.