Cold Sores: Features And Treatment

A cold sore is an infection of the lips, gums, or other parts of the mouth. The herpes simplex virus is responsible for this infection and manifests as one or more blisters or lesions.

In general, there are two herpes strains:

• HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores
• HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes

According to information in BMJ Clinical Evidence (link in English), between 20% and 40% of people are affected at some point. Most primary infections usually occur during childhood, and scientists believe that the virus lies dormant in the trigeminal ganglion.

Why do we get cold sores?

This virus stays in the body. Therefore, after overcoming the symptoms of the initial infection, if something triggers it, it will cause symptoms again.

Also, this virus spreads easily on contact if there are lesions. Thus, the use of objects that may have come into contact with a lesion, such as razor blades, towels, lipstick is not allowed.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 are infected with this type of herpes worldwide. It is important to remember that this is not a genetic condition.

Risk Factors

Certain factors can facilitate the appearance of this virus. For example, think of:

• A weakened immune system
• Autoimmune diseases such as HIV/AIDS
• Severe burns
• Chemotherapy Treatments
• Drug treatment to prevent transplant rejection

Cold Sore Symptoms

Cold sores can be mild or severe, and some people can even be asymptomatic. However, usually the first symptoms appear about 1-2 weeks after infection and last on average about 7-15 days.

For example, the most common symptoms are:

• Itching in the area of ​​the lesion
• A burning sensation
• The appearance of blisters (these usually appear around the lips)
• Tingling in the area near the lips (usually before the blisters manifest)

• swollen lips
• Damp and appearance of scabs
• Throat discomfort or swollen lymph nodes

Why do they occur?

There are many possible reasons why these infections occur. Also, subsequent infections can occur after the first incidence of this viral infection. Most commonly, cold sore infections are due to, among other things:

• Decreased defenses
• stress
• Excessive sunbathing
• Period
• Hormonal changes
• Fever

Tests to detect cold sores

A doctor will do several tests when herpes outbreaks return or when the lesions are larger than normal. However, the most common test is an early stage viral culture of the blisters.

Therapy

There are two types of treatment for this pathology:

• Topical treatment. This consists of applying an antiviral lotion directly to the area. In general, this treatment is effective when applied at the first sign of discomfort.
• Medication. However, sometimes it is necessary to treat it on a systemic level. Doctors in this case prescribe the same antiviral drugs, but orally, in tablet form. The most commonly prescribed drugs include Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir.

Doctors also prescribe treatments such as pain relievers to help ease the discomfort. However, there are other tips to improve or prevent cold sores in addition to medications:

• First of all, don’t share utensils with someone who might have a cold sore.
• For example, use lip balm to prevent your lips from drying out.
• Also follow a healthy diet.
• Finally, don’t kiss others if you have a cold sore.

Conclusion

So, in general, herpes labialis is a highly contagious infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. The first infection usually occurs during childhood. However, this can come back later in life due to various factors. That’s why you need antivirals to keep it at bay.