Speak to your GP if you're at risk. They may prescribe antiviral tablets and refer you for specialist treatment. The type of treatment recommended will depend on the severity of your cold sore symptoms and the complication that's causing problems. For example, if you develop herpetic keratoconjunctivitis — a secondary eye infection — you may need to see an ophthalmologist, a specialist eye doctor.
Visit your pharmacist if you or your child develops swollen, painful gums gingivostomatitis as a result of the primary herpes simplex infection. They'll be able to suggest treatments to help ease your symptoms.
If the infection is painful, your pharmacist may suggest using a preparation that contains benzydamine, which is available as an oral rinse or oral spray, to help relieve any pain in your mouth or throat.
Brushing your teeth may also be painful because of the swelling of your gums. Your pharmacist may suggest using an antiseptic mouthwash. This helps prevent secondary infections and will also control a build-up of plaque if you can't brush your teeth effectively.
As with the treatment of cold sores, any pain or fever can be treated using ibuprofen or paracetamol. In rare cases of gingivostomatitis, it's possible for your lips to become stuck together in places. Using a lip barrier cream available from your local pharmacist will help prevent this. If you or your child has gingivostomatitis, it's important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Young children are particularly at risk as they may refuse to eat or drink because of the pain in their mouth. It's important to watch out for signs of dehydration , such as:. Most cases of gingivostomatitis get better in 7 to 14 days, although it may take up to three weeks for the sores to heal completely. If you or your child still has symptoms of gingivostomatitis after two weeks or the infection is severe your pharmacist may advise you to contact your GP, who may refer you for specialist treatment.
Specialist referral may also be needed for gingivostomatitis if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system. Visit your GP if you have a newborn baby who develops gingivostomatitis, as they may also need to be referred for specialist treatment.
Home Illnesses and conditions Mouth Cold sore. Cold sore See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About cold sores 2. Symptoms of cold sores 3. Causes of cold sores 4. Treating cold sores. About cold sores Cold sores are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. When to get professional advice. Pharmacy First Scotland: Cold sore treatment from your pharmacy If you have cold sores you can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy. Find your local pharmacy on Scotland's Service Directory.
What causes cold sores? The strain of herpes simplex virus usually responsible for cold sores is known as HSV Herpes simplex virus The herpes simplex virus — or "cold sore virus" — is highly contagious and can be easily passed from person to person by close direct contact. Treating cold sores Cold sores usually clear up by themselves without treatment within 7 to 10 days.
Antiviral tablets may be prescribed for severe cases. Complications of cold sores Cold sores are usually mild, but may cause complications in rare cases.
Examples of when this can occur include: skin infections — these often occur if the virus comes into contact with broken skin, such as a cut or graze , or a skin condition such as eczema herpetic whitlow whitlow finger — this causes painful sores and blisters to appear on and around your fingers herpetic keratoconjunctivitis — this causes swelling and irritation inflammation of your eye area and sores to develop on your eyelids Left untreated, herpetic keratoconjunctivitis can cause the cornea, the transparent layer at the front of your eye, to become infected, which can eventually lead to blindness.
Preventing infection It's not possible to prevent infection with the herpes simplex virus or prevent outbreaks of cold sores, but you can take steps to minimise the spread of infection. You can help minimise the risk of the cold sore virus spreading and cold sores recurring by following the advice below: avoid touching cold sores unless you're applying cold sore cream — creams should be dabbed on gently rather than rubbed in, as this can damage your skin further always wash your hands before and after applying cold sore cream and after touching the affected area don't share cold sore creams or medication with other people as this can cause the infection to spread don't share items that come into contact with the affected area, such as lipsticks or cutlery avoid kissing and oral sex until your cold sores have completely healed be particularly careful around newborn babies, pregnant women and people with a low immune system, such as those with HIV or those having chemotherapy if you know what usually triggers your cold sores, try to avoid the triggers — for example, a sun block lip balm SPF 15 or higher may help prevent cold sores triggered by bright sunlight.
Uncommon complications that require medical attention include:. There are two types of herpes simplex infection: herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 HSV Most cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV Cold sores on the mouth can cause genital infection during oral sex for people who do not already carry the cold sore virus. There are many other viruses that are also in the herpes virus family, however the infection and symptoms are different.
One example is varicella zoster virus VZV which causes chickenpox and shingles. The herpes simplex virus spreads between people, usually through contact with saliva or direct contact with a blister. The most infectious time is in the first few days when the blister is forming. Sometimes, people can pass the virus to others when they have no symptoms. This is because the virus may be lying dormant in the skin cells of the lips.
If you have a cold sore, be sure to wash your hands after touching it and be especially careful to avoid touching your own eyes after touching your cold sore.
It is the fluid contained in the blisters that is considered to be the most infectious. While you have a cold sore it is also important to avoid:. If young children with a cold sore are unable to follow good hygiene practices, it is recommended that they be excluded from childcare or school until the blister stops weeping. It is also recommended that blisters be covered by a dressing, where possible.
Cold sores are generally not dangerous and do not cause any permanent damage to the skin. Treatment does not cure the infection and is not necessary for most cases.
Avoid picking the scab or breaking blisters as this can cause secondary infection with bacteria, or scarring. Creams to treat the symptoms can be soothing, as can ice on the blisters. Simple painkillers may occasionally be required. Povidone-iodine ointments commonly known as Betadine can be dabbed onto the cold sores and may reduce symptoms in some people. Antiviral medications come in many forms, including creams and tablets.
Medications such as aciclovir and famciclovir shorten the duration of the cold sore by reducing the ability of the virus to reproduce. Aciclovir cream works best when applied to the blister at the earliest stages of cold sore development, when the area is tingling. To help prevent it from spreading to others:.
Be especially careful not to touch your eyes. If HSV-1 gets into the eyes, it can cause a lot of damage. Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Are Cold Sores? But it can wake up again later from things like: other infections a fever sunlight cold weather menstrual periods stress , like before a big test at school When the virus reactivates, it can cause tingling and numbness around the mouth before blisters appear.
What Causes Cold Sores? How Are Cold Sores Treated? Some people find that certain things trigger a cold sore, such as another illness, sunshine or menstrual periods. Cold sores are contagious from the moment you first feel tingling or other signs of a cold sore coming on to when the cold sore has completely healed.
You can buy electronic devices from pharmacies that treat cold sores with light or lasers. Some people find these helpful, but there have not been many studies to confirm if they work. If you regularly get cold sores, use antiviral creams as soon as you recognise the early tingling feeling. They do not always work after blisters appear.
Cold sores take time to heal and they're very contagious, especially when the blisters burst.
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