Cold Sores

Cold Sores: Preventing and Treating Oral Blister Breakouts Around the Mouth




Cold sores are often called Herpes Labialis, Herpes Simplex (HSV-1) or fever blisters and are essentially painful lesions which commonly appear on the lips, chin, cheeks or nostrils. These blisters can cause pain and usually turn into yellowish crusty sores before they disappear. The process to heal a cold sore can take weeks. However, those who are prone to cold sores usually get an outbreak over and over again. In fact, they are highly contagious so they can pass them to others as well. At this time there is no cure, secret remedy or vaccine for cold sores but there are things you can do to prevent them, treat them, stop their spread to others and speed their healing.





Is It A Cold Sore?

Knowing how to recognize a cold sore is the first step to learning how to treat one. A cold sore is different than a canker sore (which is inside the mouth). They are caused by a virus and can even cause fever and other bothersome symptoms like mouth pain. You can talk with your doctor to determine whether your sore is a cold sore the first time you experience one. That way you’ll know what to look for if you experience recurrent stages of cold sores like most people do.





Recognize An Impending Cold Sore Arrival

Before you even see the cold sore pop up on your face, chances are you’ll start feeling a tingling or burning sensation somewhere around where it will erupt. If you take action for relief as soon as you feel these symptoms, you can shorten the recovery. Some over the counter mediation or oral prescription treatments for cold sores can be used upon you feeling these first sensations (Valtrex and Abreva are commonly used).



Avoid Spreading Cold Sores

Once you’ve figured out you have a herpes type cold sore, follow a few simple tips. First, it’s important to refrain from kissing or sharing drinks with others. Be sure to wash all eating utensils very well with disinfectant soap. In addition, you need to be careful not to touch your eyes and spread the virus there. Gently clean the area with soap and water and be sure to change your toothbrush after an outbreak.



Antiviral Remedy Medications

You can use medications like Penciclovir, Acyclovir and Famciclovir to treat cold sores. They don’t cure the cold sore itself but can speed up the healing time. It’s important to start taking them as soon as the cold sore appears, however. Some patients need to take these medications on a daily basis if they have severe outbreaks regularly. Topical ointments like Abreva and Denavir can be effective as well.



Treating and Relief of the Pain

old sores can be very painful so you may want to take over the counter pain medication like Tylenol or Motrin while you’re healing. You can also use ice to get immediate pain relief. Be sure to use an ice pack and move it around on the area in 10 minute sessions. Some people use a compress of warm milk to ease the pain, as well.



Wait the Virus Out

There’s nothing else to do for a cold sore but try to be patient and wait it out. Usually the outbreak will go away within 2 weeks or less. During this time, be sure you don’t squeeze or pick at the sore because it will only take them longer to heal and they can get infected.