Description

Cold sores (herpes labialis or fever blisters, are common in viral infection. They are small, fluid-filled blisters on and around the lips. These blisters are often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a crust that can last several days. Cold sores usually heal in 2 to 3 weeks without leaving a scar.

Herpes is spread from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. Usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and, less often, the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both of these viruses can affect your mouth or genitals and can be spread by oral sex. You can transmit the virus even if you don't see the sores.

There is No cure for cold sores, but treatment can help control outbreaks. The prescription of antiviral drugs or creams can help heal the wounds more quickly. And that can cause future outbreaks happen less often and be shorter and less severe.

Symptoms

A cold sore usually passes through several stages:

  • Tingling and itching. Many people feel itching, burning, or tingling feeling around the lips for a day or two before a small, hard, painful spot appears and blisters form.
  • Blisters. Small fluid-filled blisters, often form along the border of the lips. Sometimes they will appear around the nose, or cheek, or on the inside of the mouth.
  • Oozing and crusting. The small blisters that can be combined and then exploded. This can leave shallow sores that ooze and crust.

The symptoms vary, depending on if this is your first outbreak or a recurrence. The first time you have a cold sore, symptoms may not begin until 20 days after the first exposure to the virus. The lesions may last for several days. And the blisters can take 2 to 3 weeks to heal completely. If the blisters of return, which often appear in the same place every time, and they tend to be less severe than the first outbreak.

In the first outbreak, you may also experience:

  • Fever.
  • Pain in the gums.
  • The sore throat.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.

Children under the age of 5 years may have cold sores inside the mouth. These sores are often mistaken for canker sores. Canker sores involve only the mucous membrane, and are not caused by the herpes simplex virus.

When to see a doctor

Cold sores usually clear up without treatment. Consult your health care provider if:

  • You have a weak immune system.
  • The cold sores that do not heal within two weeks.
  • The symptoms are severe.
  • The herpes sores often return.
  • You have sandy or pain in the eyes.

Causes

Cold sores are caused by certain strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV). HSV-1 usually causes cold sores. HSV-2 is often the cause of genital herpes. But, of any type may spread to the face or the genitals through close contact, such as kissing or oral sex. Shared eating utensils, razors and towels can also spread the virus HSV-1 .

Mouth ulcers are more likely to spread when you have the oozing blisters. But you can spread the virus even if you don't have blisters. Many people who are infected with the virus that causes cold sores never develop symptoms.

Once you have had a herpes infection, the virus can hide in the nerve cells in the skin and can cause another cold sore in the same place as before. A return of mouth sores can be caused by:

  • The Viral infection or fever.
  • Hormonal changes, such as those related to the menstrual period.
  • Stress.
  • Fatigue.
  • Being in the sun or the wind.
  • Changes in the immune system.
  • Injury of the skin.

Risk factors

Almost everyone is at risk of herpes labialis. The majority of adults are carriers of the virus that causes cold sores, even if you have never had symptoms.

You are at greater risk of complications from the virus if you have a weak immune system conditions and treatments such as:

  • HIV / AIDS .
  • Atopic dermatitis (eczema).
  • The chemotherapy of cancer.
  • Anti-rejection medicine of organ transplantation.

Complications

In some people, the virus that causes cold sores can cause problems in other areas of the body, including:

  • The tips of the fingers. The HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread to the fingers. This type of infection is often referred to as herpes whitlow. Children who suck their thumb, you can transfer the infection from their mouths to the thumbs of their hands.
  • The eyes. The virus can sometimes cause infection in the eyes. Repeated infections can cause scarring and injury, which can lead to vision problems or vision loss.
  • Extensive areas of the skin. People who have a skin condition called atopic dermatitis (eczema), are at greater risk of cold sores spread through all his organs. This can become a medical emergency.

Prevention

Your health care provider may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take on a regular basis if you develop sores more than nine times a year, or if you are at high risk of serious complications. If the light of the sun seems to trigger your condition, apply sunscreen to the place where the cold sore tends to form. Or talk with your health care provider about the use of an oral antiviral medicine before an activity that tends to cause a cold sore to go back.

Take these steps to help prevent the spread of herpes to other people:

  • Avoid kissing and contact with the skin of the people, while the blisters are present. The virus spreads most easily when the blisters are fluid leak.
  • Avoid sharing items. Utensils, towels, lip balm, and other personal items can spread the virus when the blisters are present.
  • Keep your hands clean. When you have a cold sore, wash your hands thoroughly before you touch yourself and to other people, especially babies.

Diagnosis

Your doctor usually can diagnose herpes labialis just by looking at them. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may take a sample from the vial for testing in a laboratory.

Treatment

Herpes sores often clear up without treatment in 2 to 4 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication that can speed up the healing process. Examples include:

  • Acyclovir (Zovirax).
  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex).
  • Famciclovir.
  • Penciclovir (Denavir).

Some of these products are pills. Others are creams you put the lipstick several times a day. In general, the pills work better than creams. For very severe infections, antiviral drugs can be injected.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The cold sore ointment docosanol (Abreva) may shorten the healing time of a cold sore. At the first sign of symptoms, apply it on the affected skin as directed on the package. Use a cotton swab to put the medicine in a cold sore. This helps to prevent the spread of the sores to other parts of the body.

To relieve the discomfort of a cold sore:

  • Try other cold sore remedies. Some otc products contain a drying agent, such as alcohol, that may speed healing.
  • The use of lip balms and cream. Protect your lips from the sun with a cream zinc oxide or lip balm with sunscreen. If your lips are dry, apply a moisturizing cream.
  • Apply a compress. A cold, damp cloth can help alleviate symptoms and help to eliminate the formation of scabs. Or try using a warm cloth over the blisters of the skin to relieve pain.
  • Rest and try to relieve the pain. Take non-prescription medication for the pain, if you have a fever or a cold sore is painful. Creams with lidocaine or benzocaine can offer some relief from the pain.

Alternative medicine

Studies about whether the alternative medicine to help with the cold sores have had mixed results. Some of the approaches that people use to the cold sores are:

  • The lysine. An amino acid, lysine is available as an oral supplement and as a cream.
  • Rhubarb and sage. A cream that combines the rhubarb and sage can be as effective as acyclovir (Zovirax) cream.
  • The reduction of stress. If the cold sores are caused by stress, you might want to try relaxation techniques. Examples include deep-breathing exercises and meditation.
  • The propolis. This is available as a 3% ointment. When applied early and often, you can shorten the duration of the break. This product is also called synthetic beeswax.

Preparing for your appointment

Herpes sores often clear up without treatment in 2 to 4 weeks. Make an appointment with your primary care provider if the herpes sores:

  • They are long-lasting or severe.
  • Come back often.
  • They are accompanied by eye pain or gritty eyes.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to list answers to the following questions:

  • Have you ever had these symptoms before?
  • Do you have a history of skin problems?
  • What medications and supplements that you take regularly?

Below are some basic questions to ask your health care provider about cold sores.

  • I have a cold sore?
  • What treatment do you recommend, if any?
  • What self-care steps may relieve my symptoms?
  • I spreading this condition to others? For how long?
  • How can I reduce the risk of spreading this condition to others?
  • How soon do you expect that my symptoms improve?
  • Am I at risk of complications of this condition?
  • Anything I can do to help prevent another blister pack?

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask you a few questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk in-depth. Your health care provider may ask:

  • I could feel a cold sore coming before you could see?
  • Do your symptoms include pain in the eye or gritty eyes?
  • Is there something that seem to bring on your symptoms?
  • Has received treatment for cold sores in the past? If so, what helped the most?
  • Have you been under stress lately or had major life changes?
  • Are you pregnant?
  • Does your work or home life brings them into contact with children or with people who have a serious illness?
Symptoms and treatment of herpes labialis