Treating a cold sore is really a pain. They are unsightly and usually quite painful. Cold sores really interrupt our social lives. And they seem to show up at the most inconvenient times.

Unlike many diseases that do their damage internally, cold sores only occur on the surface. Because of this, they can be easily cured. If this same damage occurred internally, cold sores could be a threat to your life.

For effectively treating a cold sore, you should be aware of the different stages. As you will see, you will use a different treatment based on the stage of your sore.

These are the variations of cold sore treatment methods for each symptom.

1. The first cold sore symptom is the itching stage. This tingling sensation indicates the movement of the herpes virus to the surface to replicate. This virus enters thousands of nerve cells, each one becoming a virus factory.

Applying ice, or any cold object, improves comfort. It also greatly discourages the virus and can actually prevent the cold sore from occurring.

2. If the virus enters the cells, hard little red bumps and swelling of the area occur. Applying something cold for 15 minutes at a time can still work wonders at this stage. Treating a cold sore like this can slow down the virus and possibly stop it.

3. If you did not stop the virus before this point, the cold sore will now break open and start weeping fluid teaming with new virus. This is caused by the destruction of thousands of nerve cells. From now on, your cold sore is in the healing phase.

You can still use ice to reduce heat and swelling. But application of cold does tend to slow healing of cold sores or any wound.

The most important part of treating a cold sore at this point is to keep the wound sterile. You should cleanse the wound with peroxide or alcohol. You can get throw-away alcohol swabs from the diabetes section of your drug store. These are very handy. They can be carried in purse or pocket.

Applying a drug store product with a numbing agent, like Campho-Phenique, can greatly improve comfort without using ice.

4. The healing period for your cold sore is now through the final red spot disappears. Treating a cold sore, during all the healing period, should include applying heat. This will bring additional blood to the area for very fast healing results.

Keep cleansing the area, even when scabbed over. Keep using the Campho-Phenique or whatever treatment you choose. Drug store cold sore treatments are great for comfort. But they generally will not shorten the duration by any measurable degree.

HEAT APPLICATION. A damp washcloth warmed up in the microwave will work fine. Use care not to burn the area or you will take longer to heal.

A better way of treating a cold sore is by the use of a warm tea bag. This not only provides healing warmth, but also applies some great anti-viral ingredients found in the tea plant.

CAUTION. Cold sores, and the herpes virus that actually causes them, are extremely contagious. This is true, not only for infecting your friends, but other spots on your body as well.

If you have seen folks with numerous cold sores around their mouth, these are likely spread from the original cold sore. Spreading it to your eyes is especially dangerous. It can cause permanent vision damage.

When you are treating a cold sore, protect your fingers from being contaminated. If you must itch or treat the sore, use a tissue or cotton ball. Wash your hands after treatment. The use of hand sanitizing lotion is an excellent way of preventing the spread of the disease.

Remember, apply cold when the cold sore is forming, and warmth when it is healing. Keep it clean and keep from touching the area with your bare fingers while treating a cold sore.