What are cold sores?

Cold sores also known as fever blisters are seen as a bunch of small blisters around and on the lip. The skin that surrounds the blisters are reddish, sore and swollen. The blisters can open up producing clear fluid and after a few days scab is formed on them, these usually heal in a dew days to a couple if weeks

Causes

• The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes Cold sores. The two types of HSVs- HSV-1 and HSV- 2 can both lead to sores around the mouth and in the genitals.
• The Herpes simplex virus finds way into the body through any breaks in the skin in or around the mouth. The body fluids from an infected person may spread through the sharing of utensils, razors, kissing or touching the saliva of the infected person.
• A child may get cold sores through an infected parent
• Cold sores may spread to the other body parts too

Symptoms

• Blisters around the mouth that break to release clear fluid. They crust and disappear in a few days.
• Sore mouth with difficulty in drinking, eating and sleeping.
• Sore throat
• The lymph nodes in the neck are swollen
• Drooling is seen in children

Treatment

Cold sores cant be cured but medications can be prescribed to shorten the duration and to prevent an occurrence in the future.
• Oral antiviral drugs help reduce pain and decrease the time taken to heal.
• Topical creams and ointments may help with the healing time, pain and itching.

Prevention

• Maintain a health lifestyle. This will keep the immune system in a good condition and reduce the chances of an outbreak .
• Avoid any triggers that cause outbreaks
• Get used to a good diet
• Use a food sun screen on your skin with special attention to your lips if sunlight is onr of the triggers.

What you can expect when you visit our clinics

1. Stop by our front desk to visit a certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. No appointment is required.
2. Your medical practitioner will examine your medical background, go over your medical issues, perform an examination and supply you with an individualized plan for treatment. This might consist of non-prescription items or a medical prescription.
3. Towards the end of your visit to our clinic, your medical attendant will give you an overview, an invoice and some instructional material may be given.
4. The overview of your clinic visit can be forwarded to your primary health care provider with your authorization.