Cold Sores: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment (1)

1
Cold Sores
2
Cold Sores

• Cold sores are highly contagious boils that
  usually appear on the mouth, chin, cheeks, inside
  the nostrils and lips. Cold sores are caused by
  the herpes simplex virus type-1. Cold sores are
  quite common and cannot be prevented, but
  measures can be taken to reduce the complications
  associated with it. More than 50 of the people
  suffer cold sores at some point in their life.
  Cold sores causes pain and irritation and
  generally lasts for a few days.

3
Causes of Cold Sores 

• The HSV-1 is a herpes simplex virus-type 1 that
  causes cold sore infection. However, in some
  cases HSV type-2 virus can also cause cold sores.
  An infected person can easily pass on this virus
  infection to a healthy person. Sharing of
  personal items such as razor, towel, sheets, or
  clothes can spread the infection. Following are
  some possible causes that may trigger the virus
  to cause cold sores. 
• Menstruation
• Injury around the affected area
• Photosensitivity
• Depression
• Extreme cold weather
• Stomach infection

4
Symptoms

• Symptoms of cold sores may come and go,
  depending on their type. The most common symptom
  is burning and tingly sensation that occurs few
  days before the appearance of cold sores. Other
  common symptoms of cold sores are 
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Swollen glands
• Mouth ulcers
• Lesions on mouth and lungs
• Swelling of Lips
• Boils in the mouth
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Pain and irritation
• Fluid filled sores

5
Diagnosis of Cold Sores

• There are no such diagnostic tests available for
  the diagnosis of cold sores. You can consult a
  dermatologist if sores have not healed within a
  week. In case if a patient has a weak immune
  system or is undergoing a chemotherapy or AIDS
  treatment, should consult a doctor within a day
  when a cold sore appears. Sometimes a doctor may
  order a blood test or take a sample of fluid from
  the sore to check for the presence of infection
  and its condition.

6
Treatments

• Most cold sores fade on their own within a week
  or two and there is no requirement for medical
  treatment. Antibiotics and other over-the-counter
  medicines prescribed by the dermatologist will
  help alleviate pain and irritation. An ointment
  can be applied directly on the sore daily for a
  week. These ointments contain zovirax
  and acyclovir that can provide relief from
  burning and tingly sensation. Sometimes vitamin-E 
  supplements and changes in diet are also advised
  to people with weak immune system. Avoid touching
  the sores frequently and wash your hands to avoid
  passing the virus to others. Always keep your
  body hydrated lack of water levels may also cause
  cold sores.

7
CONNECT WITH US

• Logon to
• www.lazoi.com
• Like us on Facebook
• https//www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
• Follow us on Twitter
• https//www.twitter.com/lazoithelife
• Follow us on Pinterest
• https//www.in.pinterest.com/lazoithelife