Cold Sores

  This type of herpes primarily affects the skin and mucous membranes, commonly producing cold sores and fever blisters.

After the first herpes simplex infection, the patient becomes susceptible to recurrent infections, which may be provoked by fever, menses, stress, heat, and cold. 

Cause:  Caused by Herpes-virus hominis.  It is transmitted by oral and respiratory secretions and drainage from lesions.

Symptoms:

Primary infection:  patient may experience a brief period of prodromal tingling and itching, accompanied by fever and pharyngitis, followed by eruption of vesicles on any part of the oral mucosa, especially in the tongue, gums, and cheeks.

Vesicles (sac -like filled with fluid) form on an erythematous (red) base, then rupture and leave a painful ulcer, followed by a yellowish crust

Increased salivation

Halitosis

Possible anorexia

Conjunctivitis

Fever

Treatment:

Symptomatic and supportive therapy is essential

Primary infection usually requires an analgesic-antipyretic to reduce fever and relieve pain.

Anesthetic mouthwashes, such as viscous lidocaine, to help reduce the pain of gingivostomatitis, enabling the patient to eat and for preventing dehydration.

Drying agents, such as calamine lotion, make skin lesions less painful

Your doctor may prescribe Acyclovir, and antiviral agent, to decrease symptoms, the recurrence rate, and contagion.

Helpful hints and home remedies:

Replace your toothbrush – Toothbrush can harbor the herpes virus for days, reinfecting you after the present cold sore heals.  (throw toothbrush away after the blister develops, and when it heals replace again with a new one.)

Stay away from food that are arginine rich such as chocolate, cola, peas, peanuts, gelatin, beer, and grain cereals.

Stress enhance this disorder – so relax.