A Herpes cold sore is also called a fever blister because the sore often appears immediately after you have a cold or fever. Before you see a cold sore your lip will tingle where the cold sore will break out and after a few days a small fluid filled blister appear in the same place. The blister is red, raised, and painful. A Herpes cold sore breaks and oozes a yellow liquid that dries to a crust. The crust eventually breaks off and exposes a red pink tissue which heals in a few days.

          A Herpes cold sore is caused by the herpes virus. The most common type of herpes virus that causes cold sores is Herpes Simplex Virus Type I. This virus can be transmitted from person to person by skin to skin contact such as kissing or by sharing eating utensils. A Herpes cold sore is contagious. Herpes Simplex Type II causes genital sores but can also cause cold sores in the mouth if transferred to the lip area.

          A Herpes cold sore normally occurs on the lips but in some patients the sores can extend into the nose, cheeks or even fingers. They rarely occur in the mouth but can. If they do occur in the mouth, the sores will appear on the gums or on the roof of the mouth about the hard palate. A Herpes cold sore is different from a canker sore. Canker sores like to form on soft tissue that moves without bone underneath. A Canker sore is not contagious but a Herpes cold sore is.

          The herpes virus lives in the nerves that go to your lips and the virus remains inactive until something stresses you. This stress can be a cold, problems in life,the beginning of a menstration, a fever, or overexposure to the sun.

          The period of time from when your lip first starts to tingle until the Herpes cold sore breaks out is the prodrome. Many antiviral drugs have been developed that can decrease the outbreak if they are taken during the early herpes prodrome phase. The most common medications are Zovirax (acyclovir), famciclovir (Famvir), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and penciclovir (Denavir). These medications if taken orally or in ointment form do not prevent future outbreaks.

          If untreated, a Herpes cold sore clear up in approximately a week. Many patients play with the sores which can cause the sores to remain a longer. It is important to wash your hands after touching a Herpes cold sore because you can infect someone else with your contaminated fingers. As with any other virus infection, do not give children aspirin. It is possible for children with viral infections to develop Reye's syndrome after taking aspirin. If you sunbath, use sunblock on your lips and the rest of your body. This avoids damage to your lips and a possible outbreak of Herpes cold sores.

          A very promising method of treating herpes is iontophoresis. Iontophoresis is a way of placing medications into a patient's body without using a needle. A very small electric current is passed through the area being treated and an antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, rides into the body on the electric current. If done during the prodromal phase, iontophoresis may avoid any Herpes cold sores from breaking out. In some patients it significantly reduces future herpes outbreaks.

        If you are having herpes cold sore problems and would like to consult with Dr. Padolsky, please make an appointment by calling 404-874-7428.