What are Cold Sores?

Cold sores (canker sores or fever blisters) are caused by a viral infection. They are characterized by blisters around the mouth. They are contagious and require treatment. Several cold sore medications are available for effective treatment of the condition.

Causes and Symptoms of Cold Sores

Causes

Cold sores are usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and very rarely by simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is spread from an infected person to another via close contact; such as kissing or sharing utensils or cosmetics. The fluid-filled blisters form on the lips or around the mouth. The blisters can be single or clustered together in a group. Cold sores can last for up to 2-3 weeks.

Symptoms

Before cold sores appear, you may feel a tingling sensation or itching on the site of the outbreak. It is often accompanied by a fever, muscle aches, swollen nymph nodes, and headache.

The blisters contain some sort of fluid. The blisters can burst and ooze also. In time, they dry up and disappear.

The symptoms can appear weeks after your exposure to the virus. The sores can be extremely painful. The various symptoms make it worse.

Once you are infected with the virus, it will lie dormant in your body. New outbreaks can occur at any time. Your body can reactivate the virus due to infection, fever, stress, dental work, eczema, and a weak immune system. The immune system can weaken due to many reasons. Chemotherapy and HIV/AIDS also make the immune system very weak. These can also be a risk factor for cold sores.

Treatment

The sores can clear up after 2-3 weeks on their own. But you can use cold sore medications to reduce the severity of the symptoms and the duration of the outbreak. Medicines can also help reduce the frequency of outbreaks and their transmission. There is no cure for cold sores.

Medications

Acyclovir and valacyclovir are two anti-viral medications to treat cold sores. These are available only via a prescription. See a doctor if you frequently experience cold sore outbreaks. It is, however, best to seek medical care during the first cold sore outbreak itself. But it is never too late for using cold sore medications for relief from the condition.

Acyclovir is also available in a cream form. Doctors may also prescribe lidocaine cream to reduce the pain. Your doctor may prescribe both pills and an ointment to help relieve your symptoms. L-Lysine is also used for treatment and it is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) cold sore medication. This medication can help reduce the severity of the infection.

All-natural OTC herbal medicines are also used to treat cold sores.

Medical help

You can see your GP and seek treatment for cold sores. You can also utilize online medical portals and seek an appointment with a doctor. People with cold sores may feel more comfortable with online consultations. If you choose the later option, ensure that you use a reputed and trustworthy company, online portal, or website.

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