What are cold sores?

Cold sores are red, fluid-filled blisters that appear on the lips or other parts of the face. In rare situations, cold sores can form on the fingers, nose, or mouth. Usually, they’re clustered together in patches. Cold sores can last for up to two weeks. Cold sores have no treatment, and they might reappear at any time.

What causes cold sores to appear?

Close contact, like kissing, can spread them from person to person.

The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. It is divided into two types. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1), while genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex type 2 virus (HSV-2).

Visible cold sores are contagious, but they can also spread when they aren’t. Coming into contact with persons who have the herpes simplex virus can give you the virus. Kissing, sharing cosmetics, or sharing meals can all lead to this.

Herpes simplex virus infection cannot be cured, although it can be controlled. The virus remains dormant in your body after the sores have healed. This means that when the virus reactivates, new sores can form at any time.

Symptoms of cold sores include:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever and muscle discomfort
• If you acquire any eye symptoms, consult your doctor right away. The herpes simplex virus can cause permanent visual loss.

Cold sore treatment

Although there is no cure for cold sores, antiviral ointments, such as penciclovir, can help decrease pain and promote healing when cold sores appear (Denavir). When administered as soon as the first signs of a sore develop, ointments are most beneficial. For four to five days, they must be applied four to five times per day.

Another therapeutic option is docosanol (Abreva). It’s an over-the-counter lotion that can reduce the length of an outbreak by several hours to a day. It should be used multiple times a day.

Medications

Oral antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and famciclovir (Famvir) can also be used to treat cold sores (Famvir). These medications are only available with a prescription. If you’re having problems with cold sores or have recurrent breakouts, your doctor may advise you to take antiviral drugs regularly.

Remedy at home

• Applying ice or cold washcloths to the sores can help relieve the symptoms.
• For some people, taking lysine supplements regularly is linked to fewer outbreaks.
• Aloe vera, the cooling gel found inside the aloe plant’s leaves, may help with cold sores.
• Use a lip balm with lemon extract.
• A petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, helps relieve the pain.
• Always use a clean cotton swab or cotton ball to administer home treatments, lotions, gels, or ointments to cold sores.

Preventing the spread of cold sores

• Wash your hands frequently and avoid skin contact with others to prevent spreading cold sores.
• By identifying your triggers and taking actions to avoid them.
• Apply zinc oxide lip balm before soaking in some rays if you experience cold sores in the sun.
• If you get a cold sore every time you’re anxious, try stress-reduction tactics like meditation and journaling.

Cold sore treatment with Laser at Peace of Mind Dental Studio

Cold sores normally begin to resolve on their own over a few days and subside within several weeks. They can, nevertheless, be addressed if they cause discomfort or cause you to feel self-conscious. Skin lotions, ointments, and even medications may be used to treat the condition.

This form of therapy may only reduce the duration of cold sores by 1 to 2 days, but it can alleviate the painful symptoms.

Laser treatment is a more reliable technique to cure cold sores.

The cold sore can be avoided if the lesion is detected early and treated with a laser.

Consider a laser treatment as soon as you notice the tingling feeling that warns you of an impending sore. If you now have a full-blown sore, the laser will relieve the pain and speed up the healing process.

Laser therapy at Peace of Mind Dental Studio

We offer laser treatment for persistent cold sores at Peace of Mind Dental Studio. This is best done while the cold sore is tingling and burning. By recognizing it early, you can assist the blister to proceed through the repairing stages quicker and perhaps reduce its size.

Laser therapy is an excellent cold sore therapy that has no side effects.

What to expect with laser therapy?

Cold sore laser treatment is a simple and comfortable procedure. Our Chandler dental professionals are available for a walk-in appointment for laser cold sore therapy, and all of our physicians and specialists are qualified to manage cold sores.

You will be offered protective gear to wear after a session with the dentist. The afflicted region will be treated with a laser. It is not painful, and most individuals characterize the experience as nothing more than warmth. That’s all!

If you have cold sores frequently, therapy can minimize the frequency and severity of your outbreaks. It is common for people to have cold sores that repeat in the exact location each time.

After numerous laser treatments, there is a strong likelihood that the sore will not reappear in that location.

To book an appointment at our Peace of Mind dental studio in Chandler and discuss more how laser cold sore therapy can help, call us at 480-608-5444.