Effective Herpes Cold Sores Treatment
What are Cold Sores?
Recurring cold sores or fever blisters are an increasingly common complaint heard by dentists, which is not surprising. In the United States, 50-80 percent of adults have oral herpes (HSV-1), the virus that most commonly causes cold sores. While other forms of the virus, including sexually transmitted HSV-2, may cause outbreaks that require cold sore treatment, this is less common. Between outbreaks, the HSV-1 virus does not go away; it lays dormant in your body until the next flare-up.
Cold Sore Symptoms
You may have experienced an initial HSV-1 outbreak years ago without realizing it. Typical symptoms of the first outbreak may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and inflamed gums. After the initial outbreak, symptoms follow a predictable pattern:
- Tingling and Itching. You may feel this before any blisters erupt.
- Blisters: Small, fluid-filled blisters appear on the lips, often in clusters.
- Oozing and Crusting: The blisters burst, oozing before they crust over.
- Healing: The crust gradually heals and sloughs off.
The Herpes/Periodontitis Connection
Regardless of the cause, recurrent cold sore outbreaks are painful, unsightly, and embarrassing. However, frequent herpes outbreaks also contribute to other oral health problems. The HSV-1 virus and the bacteria that cause periodontal disease work together. Active herpes infections interfere with your body’s immune system response, allowing the bacteria that cause gum disease to flourish. The bacteria then induce the dormant virus to reactivate. It is a vicious cycle that can lead to serious dental health problems.
Breaking the Connection
The solution to treating recurrent herpes outbreaks requires two steps. Dental cleaning is the first and most important step. Dr. Van Stralen performs a thorough dental cleaning to remove plaque buildup and harmful bacteria that can reactivate HSVs. After your teeth are cleaned, preventing a new flare-up, he can focus on eliminating the painful cold sore lesions.
Proprietary, At-Home Cold Sore Lip Treatment
Laser cold sore treatment is very effective and resolves most lesions within a day or two. However, Dr. Van Stralen has developed an effective herpes cold sore treatment that works very well as a topical application you can use at home. When you feel the tingling sensation that warns you of another herpes outbreak, apply the cream as directed. Our unique blend of anti-virals and steroids suppresses your over-active immune system response, reduces inflammation and itching, and shortens the duration of the outbreak.
We are impressed by our patients’ results from using our at-home cold sore treatment. The highly effective combination of ingredients is not currently available over-the-counter but is given to our patients at no extra charge. Schedule an appointment for a dental cleaning or periodontal laser therapy. After your treatment, we will send you home with a jar of our at-home cold sore treatment.
Minimizing Your Cold Sore Outbreaks at Home
A herpes outbreak can be quite uncomfortable and distressing, leading to embarrassment in work and social situations. If you experience repeated herpes outbreaks, it negatively affects your oral health in other ways, including contributing to periodontal disease. If you are having a herpes flare-up, please contact our office at Kenneth M. Van Stralen, DDS office Phone Number 703-317-3900 today. We will arrange an appointment to treat your current symptoms and provide a practical, take-home cold sore lip treatment. There is no reason to suffer recurring outbreaks when Dr. Van Stralen offers a convenient, effective solution.