Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a common affliction caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). These small, fluid-filled blisters typically appear on or around the lips and can cause significant discomfort. While many people experience a cold sore at least once, some suffer from recurring outbreaks. There are ways to minimize the pain if you are in the unfortunate group with frequent outbreaks.
Recognize the Symptoms
The first step in treating a cold sore is recognizing the symptoms. By identifying a fever blister before it becomes a visible lesion, you can take more effective measures than trying to eliminate it once it has erupted. The initial sign is itching and tingling on or around the lips, often several days before the blisters appear. Next, small blisters appear, usually in clusters. The blisters eventually burst, ooze fluid, and crust over. The crust then dries and flakes off, resolving the outbreak. You can expect an outbreak to last one to two weeks, but with early recognition and prevention, you can significantly reduce this discomfort.
How to Minimize Cold Sores
Although complete cold sore prevention is difficult because the virus stays dormant in your body between outbreaks, certain strategies can help minimize their frequency and severity:
- Always use a lip balm with sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure, as UV light can trigger the herpes simplex virus (HSV). UV light can reactivate the virus, leading to cold sore outbreaks.
- Practice stress management techniques and avoid stress when possible. Stress is a known trigger for cold sores. When stressed, your immune system is weakened, making it easier for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) to reactivate and cause cold sore outbreaks. Therefore, managing stress is an essential part of preventing outbreaks.
- Take good care of your health by getting plenty of rest to maintain a healthy immune system.
- To reduce the pain and itching of an outbreak, use cold compresses and moisturizing, unscented lip balms.
When to See Your Dentist
Sometimes you need to ask your dentist how to prevent cold sores, particularly if you are experiencing them frequently. Recurring outbreaks could mean there is more going on than you realize. We often see herpes outbreaks in conjunction with periodontal disease. This creates a situation in which one condition triggers the other, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. The result can be severe periodontal disease and recurring herpes outbreaks that become more painful and unsightly over time.
Dr. Van Stralen’s approach to effective cold sore treatment targets both the cold sores and the periodontal disease that can trigger the HSV-1 virus, breaking the cycle and bringing patients long-term relief. His approach begins with a deep teeth cleaning to remove plaque and minimize harmful bacteria that contribute to cold sore development.
Laser treatment of the cold sores resolves the lesions quickly, followed by a highly effective topical cream not available in drugstores. This cream combines two effective ingredients – an antiviral and a topical steroid – to suppress the virus and reduce the body’s overactive immune system. After treatment, Dr. Van Stralen sends his patients home with a jar of this proprietary cold sore cream to use whenever they feel the onset of a herpes outbreak. This cold sore prevention cream usually stops the outbreak before it progresses to the visible stage, bringing quick and effective relief. With this treatment, you can feel confident in minimizing cold sores.