Cold Sores

Are you one of the "lucky" ones that get cold sores? If you do, you maybe wondering what you can do to prevent from getting more in the future. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The virus most commonly enters the body through a break in the skin either around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when someone touches a cold sore or the infected fluid from a cold sore. This can happen by using an infected person's eating utensils or razors and by kissing.

The beginning signs of getting a cold sore are pain around your mouth, sore throat, swollen glands, and a fever. You may only experience one of the signs or you could experience more than one. Cold sores can be very painful for some people. Treatment includes skin creams, ointments, or pills. Your dentist can help you determine which option of treatment would be best suited for you. Cold sores usually start to heal within a few days on their own. The virus itself can't be cured though. Once you have had a cold sore, the virus will be in your system forever. To help the prevention of cold sores, avoid kissing someone with a cold sore and avoid sharing their eating utensils. Also, it is important to wash your hands often to help prevent the spreading of the virus. Hopefully, being more aware of the causes of cold sores will help you to prevent from getting cold sores in the future.