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Cold sores, also known as herpes simplex labialis or fever blisters, are experienced by almost
half the American population aged between 14 to 49. In fact, it's estimated that about 90
percent of the world's population has at least one type of HSV which causes these cold sores.
So, what really are cold sores?
Cold sores are basically small, painful red blisters filled with fluid that appear in groups on
the lips and around the mouth area and rarely on the nose, fingers, or inside the mouth. They
appear as patches and can last for about two to three weeks.
They are typically caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 which, as previously stated, is
very common. And being highly contagious, cold sores can be spread by close contact between
people.
While there's no permanent cure for them to keep them from coming back, their symptoms can be
managed through medication. Moreover, treatment can help future outbreaks by reducing their
frequency as well as severity.
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SYMPTOMS OF
Cold Sores
The cold sore can go through several stages, with some people experiencing itching and burning.
Before a small, painful blister appears, many people feel a tingling or burning sensation around
their lips for a couple of days. These are usually located near the nose or mouth. The small
blisters can then merge and form a crust or an overlying layer of skin.
The appearance and symptoms of a cold sore vary depending on whether it's your first outbreak or
a recurring one. The first signs of the illness usually appear within a couple of days after you
are exposed to the virus. The blisters can heal in about two to three weeks, and the subsequent
outbreaks usually appear at the same location.
Some of the most common first-time symptoms of a cold sore include fever, muscle aches, and pain
in the throat and mouth. Children under five years old may also develop cold sores in their
mouths, which are often mistaken for canker sores. These are not caused by the herpes simplex
virus and involve only the mucous membrane.
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What Do Cold Sores
Look Like?
Cold sores themselves are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus. However, sometimes oral herpes
cases
have no symptoms at all. But some people who're infected may get cold sores. These appear
usually as
red blisters on lips or around the mouth area, but they may appear on other parts of the face
too.
Typically, the sore appears near the site where the virus has entered the body. And one may not
develop cold sores right after being infected—it could take up to 20 days in first-time
infection
cases for the cold sores to appear.
The cold sores appear in stages:
Stage 1: An itching, burning, or tingling feeling near
the place where the sore will appear—this is the best time to start treatment.
Stage 2: After about 12 to 24 hours of itching, blisters
start appearing in patches that are red, swollen, and typically very painful.
Stage 3: The blisters eventually release the infected
fluid. The open blisters remain for 2 to 3 days — this is a highly contagious period.
Stage 4: Scabs start forming at this point, and they may
crack and bleed.
Stage 5: The scab sheds on its own.
Cold sores may be accompanied by other symptoms:
There can be additional symptoms with first-time infections:
Additionally, if any symptoms related to the eye or eye area appear, it's imperative to reach out to a virtual doctor for cold sores. This is because in some rare cases, the herpes simplex virus could result in complete and irrecoverable vision loss if left untreated.
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How Can TelMDCare
Help You with
Cold Sores?
While there is no permanent cure for cold sores, medication can be used to manage the sores and
future outbreaks.
Our certified urgent care physicians are just one appointment away and can take a look at your
blisters and prescribe antiviral medication that can reduce the pain and duration of the cold
sores. Moreover, they can recognize rare and potentially harmful symptoms that you may have
missed.
Early treatment can also help you reduce the frequency and severity of future outbreaks and our
experienced physicians can guide you on how to best prevent future outbreaks.
Our healthcare services are both convenient and affordable. Sign up and book an
appointment today to let us help you deal with your cold sores.
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Common FAQs Linked to Cold Sores
Children can get cold sores as well. Children who're younger than 5 years of age may have cold sores inside their mouths and the lesions that appear may be mistaken for cancer sores. Moreover, since most children get cold sores for the first time, their symptoms can be fairly severe and there's a chance that the infected child may become seriously sick.
Because the virus spreads fairly easily through infected body fluids so having oozing blisters is a relatively more contagious phase. However, a large number of patients with the virus may never show any symptoms but can still pass on the virus to someone else.
The best time to start treatments like ointments and oral antiviral medication is when you notice the tingling sensation. This is when the blisters haven't yet formed and starting treatment early can reduce their severity and the overall duration.
Usually, cold sores are fairly manageable and disappear within 2 to 3 weeks without leaving any scars, but for some, they can be life-threatening. Cold sores may become more serious in people with very weak immune systems due to aids or other conditions or medications.
Home remedies like cold compresses and creams and balms may work temporarily to ease the pain and appearance of the blisters. Pain medication like ibuprofen or certain over-the-counter ointments and creams with lidocaine and benzocaine may also help. But it's best to start antiviral medication with a telemedicine doctor's advice for cold sores.
Although rare, complications from cold sores are not unheard of. The virus may spread to
other body parts causing long-term damage. Herpes whitlow can develop on the fingers while
you may get warts or ulcers on the genitals. Other complications include eczema herpeticum
on the skin, HSV keratitis that can lead to vision loss, and meningitis.
Although rare, complications from cold sores are not unheard of. The virus may spread to
other body parts causing long-term damage. Herpes whitlow can develop on the fingers while
you may get warts or ulcers on the genitals. Other complications include eczema herpeticum
on the skin, HSV keratitis that can lead to vision loss, and meningitis.