Cold Sore Scab

Imagine, you just get off the bed like every morning, see your reflection in the bathroom mirror, and find a cold sore on your lips! You immediately apply ice over it and place warm tea bags as well. However, if nothing seems to help, you need to get a medical intervention.

The doctor might give you medicines to reduce the sore, and then, you start taking extreme measures, like applying Abreva and putting on layers upon layers of Vaseline.

You might also apply a bit of vinegar twice or thrice a day. The sore does reduce due to this, but you are left with something even uglier on the lips. This is called a cold sore scab. To treat it properly, you need to know that there are stages on which depends the treatment option.

Cold sores are painful lesions that turn a beautiful maid into an ugly duckling. Once the infection heals after 3 to 4 days (depending on individual's immune levels), one is left with a scab.

One is always tempted to pick on it to get rid of it. However, this is not a very good idea and will make matters worse. There are different stages that are very contagious. Let us go through the 8 stages and learn how quickly can you get rid of them.

This is called the latent stage. You cannot actually see the scab in the latent stage. It is present deep with the nerve ganglia. It remains there till the virus turns more virulent. You never know how long the stage 1 is present. This is because, the virus maybe lying low in its dormant stage near the nerves.

This is called the prodrome stage. This is the stage where the reproductive cycle of the virus begins. It gets favorable conditions and becomes virulent. It begins to travel down the nerve fibers and reaches the skin surface. This makes area itch and tingle. The skin begins to become dry and burn. You could feel this quiver feeling for a few hours or even a few days.

This is the inflammation stage. This is stage when the virus enters its reproductive stage and causes swelling on the skin. You will see the site turning red, as the viral cells are invading your skin cells.

This is called the pre-sore stage. You will begin to see the vesicles that look like pimples or tiny bumps. The area becomes very sensitive and painful to touch.

This is the open stage. This is the defining movement of the cycle that causes appearance of the ugly large fever blister. The tiny vesicles amalgamate into one and form a big, weeping sore. This is the most contagious stage.

You should avoid touching the area, and use a clean paper towel or cotton to clean the oozing fluid. Avoid touching your hands to other parts of your body or objects around you after you fidget with the affected part. This is because, a direct touch will spread the virus and cause new scabs on your body or infect someone else.

This is the crusting stage. The oozing sore begins to heal and forms a yellow crust. This is the time when the scab turns the most painful. And whenever you smile, laugh, or open your mouth, you can feel the painful crust crack.

The healing phase is the 7th stage. You will see that there is a new skin that begins to form under the crust. However, the itching, irritation as well as pain will be present.

This is the time when the virus is moving back towards the ganglia. It will sleep here in a dormant stage waiting for favorable conditions. Once it gets a perfect environment, you will suffer from a cold sore again.

The last stage is the post scab stage. There is no visible scab present, and the skin is completely healed. You may however see a red spot for a couple of days more. It is seen because the body is still trying to regenerate the destroyed cells.

The condition is the most contagious from stage 2 to stage 8. The scabs are the last stage of the cold sore. There are a few cures that you should try.

You can apply ice over the affected area, as it will help in reducing the severity. The cold temperatures cause the virus to enter dormant stage and become less virulent. It will also make the sore become smaller.

You need to apply layers of Vaseline. This will help reduce the cracking and bleeding.

You can even try a hot compress as a treatment.

There are plenty of over the counter (OTC) medications and ointments available that you can use for treatment. You can apply medications, like lidocaine and benzyl, docoanol and Abreva for quick healing.

It would be better if you reduce the intake of salty as well as acidic foods, like tomatoes or oranges. This helps in reducing the irritation.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.