Up to 90 percent of most people get a cold sore at least once during their lives. Generally, they were exposed during childhood to the highly contagous virus that causes cold sores, or fever blisters called herpes simplex virus I, a different strain of herpes virus from the one that causes genital herpes.

After an initial outbreak the virus lies dormant in nerve cells, but ocasionally it becomes reactivated. When that happens, you may experience a telltale sensation of numbness, tingling, burning, or itching on your lip or the skin around your mouth before a cold sore appears.

Other names for Herpes: Herpes simplex, cold sores, fever blisters, genital herpes

Herpes Symptoms And Signs

Small, red bumps, blisters (vesicles) or open sores (ulcers). An outbreak begins with a tingling or itching feeling, which is followed by blisters or sores. Most herpes blisters are usually the size of a pinhead and sometimes smaller. The affected area will be red, tender, and moderately to severely painful. In some extreme cases; fever, headache, and general malaise may also manifest. The seriousness of the symptoms depend on a persons age and where on their body it occurs. According to tests and many studies of individuals, the first attack is usually the worst. When it comes to young children, symptoms are mainly mild, but from adolescence to adult they can be quite severe.

Herbal Remedies For Herpes

Make sure to keep the sore clean and dry.

Replace your toothbrush, your toothbrush can harbor the herpes virus for days, reinfecting you after the present cold sore heals.

Protect your coldsore with petroleum jelly.

Avoid chocolate, cola, peas, grain cereals, peanuts, gelatin, cashews, and beer — these foods are rich in an essential amino acid that the virus needs for its metabolism.

Exercise, There are studies that show exercise helps bolster the immune system, the stronger the immune system the better able it is to defend you against viruses.

Garlic is known to interact with the nucleic acids of the herpes virus, thus limiting its proliferation. The natural garlic is best, but you can also take a garlic pill.