Cold sores can affect our lips, mouth, or gums due to the herpes simplex virus. The blisters that cause this disease are usually painful and also unsightly. However, it is something very common among the population and often detecting it in time helps us to stop its effects more quickly.
Being aware of what this disease consists of can help us a lot when it comes to maintaining the health of our mouth and lips. For this reason, at Clínica Dental Bajo today we want to clarify some doubts about cold sores.
What is cold sores?
It is a contagious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus HSV-1 and manifests itself with fluid-filled blisters. Depending on each case, the infection can affect other parts of the face, such as the gums, pharynx, tongue, palate or sometimes even the neck.
The most common thing is to contract the virus during childhood, even if it does not manifest itself until a later age or even does not manifest itself. According to the data, it is estimated that 80% of the population has this virus, with the most common being between 2 and 3 outbreaks a year.
Symptoms of cold sores
In most cases, cold sores appear between the fourth and sixth day of the reactivation of the virus, or after its contagion. As we say, each case is different, but the duration of the outbreak could last around 15 days.
The most common symptoms of cold sores are:
- Fever
- General malaise
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
- Increased lymph nodes in the neck
- Gingivitis (more common in children)
- Pharyngitis (more common in adults)
- Fevers around the mouth, chin, or nose
Treatments for cold sores
Although the virus has no cure, it is true that today we can reduce symptoms and pain considerably. We are talking about if an outbreak can last about 15 days, with the right treatment we can reduce it to 4.
The doctor may prescribe antiviral treatments for the primary infection, which is usually the most painful. In this way, symptoms and infection are considerably reduced. Specialists may also recommend antivirals for when cold sore reactivations occur.
At Clínica Dental Bajo we care about full-mouth health, therefore, the more informed we are, the better prepared we will feel in case of suffering from a cold sore.
Lip care and aesthetics in Los Cristianos: Protect your smile from the sun
In the south of Tenerife, intense solar radiation is one of the most frequent triggers of cold sores, as it weakens the delicate skin of the lips and facilitates the reactivation of the virus. If you suffer from recurrent outbreaks that damage the aesthetics of your mouth or have left small marks or loss of hydration on the lip profile, at Clínica Bajo we can help you. We invite you to learn about our regeneration, deep hydration and aesthetic medicine treatments in Los Cristianos, where we not only help you to show off healthy, voluminous and symmetrical lips, but we also give you medical advice to protect your skin against environmental factors. Request your assessment appointment with our team!
