If you suffer from cold sores, or fever blisters, caused by the herpes simplex virus, you may be wondering if there is a permanent cure. Read on to find out everything you need to know about managing and treating oral herpes.
What is oral herpes?
This virus is contagious and recurrent once it’s in your system. It usually appears in the form of small, painful blisters or vesicles on the lips or around the mouth and nostrils. The symptoms of this benign but very unpleasant condition usually disappear after seven to 10 days.
The stages of oral herpes
- A tingling, burning, and itching sensation on a spot of skin around the lips or nose.
- The appearance of small reddish bumps.
- Liquid fills the bumps to form a tender and uncomfortable blister.
Is there a permanent cure for oral herpes?
Antiviral creams or antibiotics can help reduce the duration of the inflammation if they are applied as soon as any itching is felt. But, unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for oral herpes. Even though creams help to accelerate the disappearance of lesions, they don’t prevent recurrences.
Cold sore triggers
- Menstruation
- Times of stress
- The presence of a flu-like illness
- The presence of bronchitis, urinary tract infections, or pneumonia
- Exposure to sun or wind
No rubbing please!
For people who want to know if there is a permanent cure for oral herpes, it is important to remember that rubbing the sores only worsens the problem. It can spread the infection to another area of the lips or nose. Rubbing a cold sore can also lead to embarrassing secondary skin infections such as impetigo.
Reduce the spreading of cold sores
- If you have a cold sore, avoid contact with young children, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems.
- Do not kiss family or friends.
- Do not share your glass or toothbrush when infected.
- Do not rub your eyes or eyelids.
- Do not rub the blisters or lesions.
- Always wash your hands after touching the blisters or lesions.
When to consult a doctor
- If the lesions haven’t healed after one or two weeks.
- In case of fever, severe symptoms, or frequent recurrences.
- If you have an illness that affects your immune system.
- If your eyes become sensitive to light (a sign the infection has possibly reached the eyes).
Ask for advice
Be sure to consult a healthcare professional if you have any questions about cold sores. She will not be able to tell you that there is a permanent cure for oral herpes, but she will be able to offer a treatment to relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing process.
