Cold Sores on Lips: Remedies, Prevention and Treatment
There is a virus called the herpes simplex (HSV-1) which causes an infection resulting to cold sores on lips. This condition is called herpes labialis or orolabial herpes, commonly referred to as fever blisters or cold sores. The outbreak normally triggers the appearance of small blisters near the mouth. It heals within two to three weeks, but it can be very painful.
The surface of the skin around these blisters is often red in color. Most of the time, the area is swollen and sore. Such fever blisters may break open, which allows a clear fluid to leak from the wound. This results in the broken area scabbing for a considerable amount of time.
Cold sores on lips come with a variety of symptoms. The first ones involve pain around the lips. In some cases, fever may affect the person right before the emergence of the blisters. Sore throat and swollen glands around the neck are also things to watch out for. Children, on the other hand, may expel too much saliva before the sores break open. Depending on the tolerance of people, cold sores can be very painful for many. In rare cases, however, the blisters come without any form of symptoms.
One can prevent cold sores on lips from happening. Since the virus that causes this infection enters the body through an opening on the surface of the skin around the mouth, it is always wise to stay away from other people who are infected. The virus is spread whenever someone comes into direct contact with another person who has cold sores. Sharing utensils and razors are also major factors in the spreading of the disease. Furthermore, kissing and any form of transferring saliva from one to another will mostly result in cold sores as well.
How can one treat fever blisters? If you are infected with the virus, it is wise to consult your doctors as soon as you experience early symptoms. Even though cold sores on lips easily go away after a couple of weeks, you should still seek medical attention in order to avoid further complications of other parts of your body. Doctors are most likely to prescribe special creams, pills, and ointments which can heal the blisters in no time. The treatment period may be shortened by a week if these medication processes are accomplished.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that the presence of the herpes simplex virus itself on the body is not treatable at all. Scientific studies have shown that once a person is infected with the virus, he or she has it for the rest of his or her life. Because of this, the individual is said to become frequently affected with cold sores on lips. The only thing one can do is to continue the treatment prescribed by the doctor in order to prevent any other forms of complications. In the end, people should be responsible enough not to contract this annoying disease for the betterment of their well-being.