Cold sores, or "herpes simplex," also commonly known as "fever blisters," occur chiefly on the lips of individuals susceptible to them and more rarely elsewhere on the face or in the genital region. The exact cause of the disorder is unknown. As one of the names implies, cold sores make their appearance most commonly along with a common cold, although pneumonia, appendicitis, or any of the numerous other disorders which may be responsible for fever commonly are characterized by the presence of such an eruption.
The disorder is a recurrent one, and in some individuals it occurs frequently in the absence of colds, fever, irritation by sun and wind, or other exciting agents. In a given individual the lesions tend to recur in the same location.
The eruption usually consists of one or two groups of superficial or deep-seated water blisters occurring in the an area of red and swollen skin about the size of a finger nail. Not uncommonly there are rather marked itching, stinging, burning, and other sensations in the area for from one to several hours before the appearance of the eruption. The lesions may either rupture and form crusts or gradually dry up and become absorbed. An attack ordinarily lasts for about a week, and so scarring results from it.
Camphor ice and astringent lotions are frequently used to hasten the absorption of the lesions, although such local applications are of very limited value. Recurrence can sometimes be prevented by the proper application of X-rays, such treatment being limited to the affected area.
by Clark W. Finnerud
Common Skin Diseases of Children
Mat herpes
Ayurveda approach to Genital Herpes
Herpes gladiatorum
Living with Herpes
Herpes outbreaks and stress
Genital Herpes: When Herpes Plays a Power Game
Introduction of Syphilis from the New World
Herpes simplex virus and Homeopathic treatment
