If you or someone you love has cold sores, you may find that you are a little puzzled and confused by what has happened and what causes cold sores. The truth of the matter is that there is a lot of misinformation out there about what causes cold sores, so make sure that you are getting information from a source that you trust. Cold sores are a very normal problem and you will find that just by getting some important information about them that you will be able to understand the situation a lot better.

In the first place, it is important to understand that cold sores are the manifestation of the herpes simplex virus. This virus is passed through skin to skin contact, and it is highly contagious. Once the virus has been contracted, it will typically reside in your spinal cord in a dormant phase. However, when the virus is triggered, you will find that it can create cold sores, which are blisters that form around your mouth and lips. During this point, and even before the cold sore shows up, it can be transmitted to other people.

It is estimated that at least sixty percent of all Americans will experience cold sores at one point or another in their lives, and that many of them will have episodes that flare up two or three times a year. Though the triggers vary from person to person, it is usually some sort of specific event that will allow an outbreak to occur. Essentially, when your immune system takes a beating or when it is not functioning as well as it should, the virus become active enough to create a cold sore. While it is true that there is no cure for the herpes simplex virus once it enters your system, you'll find that it is in fact a relatively easy situation to solve.

When you want to make sure that you can get rid of your cold sore easily, remember that the first step is prevention. When you are starting to get a cold sore, you'll find that you are feeling tired or even a little feverish. Because you will get your cold sore in the same place over and over again, you'll find that you should be aware whenever you feel an itching or a tingling at that particular location. That is going to be your hint to start taking care of yourself. Start getting the sleep you need, eat well and eat regularly, and make sure that you are getting vitamin C into your system. In many cases, this can prevent cold sore from forming at all.

Remember that because the cause of the cold sore is virus, you are going to be able to get rid of the cold sore itself by shoring up your immune system. Take some time to make sure that your body is well equipped to deal with this problem! Understanding what causes cold sores is the first essential step to take when it comes to shrinking their effect on your life.