Donya Betancourt, Pediatrician, drdonya@hotmail.com
A cold is a common ailment and most parents have a profound knowledge of how to treat children who come down with a cold. But when it comes with the word ""sore"" it is strange and serious sounding. So, what exactly is a cold sore?
Cold sores are usually caused by type 1 of the herpes simplex virus. Children often become infected with this virus in early childhood though many show no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include fever, runny nose and painful lesions (fever blisters or cold sores) on the lips or in the mouth, and a small, hard spot that you can't see.
In a day or two, a red blister appears on the lip that is small and fluid filled. Occasionally, these blisters occur on the nostrils, cheeks or fingers, and although unusual they can occur inside the mouth but only on the gums or hard palate, which is the roof of the mouth. If the sore appears on the soft tissues inside your mouth, it may be a canker sore, but it's not a cold sore. Cold sores are also called fever blisters.
Cold sores are quite different from canker sores, a condition people sometimes are mistaken as the same. Cold sores are caused by a form of the herpes simplex virus, and they are contagious.
Canker sores, which aren't contagious, are ulcers that occur in the soft tissue inside the mouth, places where cold sores don't occur. Cold sores usually appear on the lips. The blisters form, break and ooze.
Then a yellow crust forms and finally sloughs off to uncover pinkish skin that heals without a scar. Symptoms may not appear for as long as 20 days after exposure to the herpes simplex virus, and usually last seven to 10 days.
The herpes simplex virus type 1 usually causes cold sores. Herpes simplex virus type 2 is usually responsible for genital herpes. However, either form of the virus can cause sores in the facial area or on the genitals.
You get cold sores from another person who has an active lesion. Shared eating utensils, razors and towels may spread this infection. Cold sores seem to run in families. You may have a greater tendency to get cold sores if an immediate family member also experiences cold sores.
Once you've had an episode of cold sores, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells in your skin and may emerge again as an active infection on or near the original site. You may experience an itch or heightened sensitivity at the site preceding each attack. Fever, menstruation and especially exposure to the sun may trigger a recurrence.
Cold sores generally clear up on their own without treatment however if there is a preexisting health condition that has compromised the immune system, cold sores won't heal within seven to 10 days and there will be frequent recurrences. In this situation the infected person should consult their doctor.
If you have a cold sore, avoid contact with infants, anyone who has eczema (atopic dermatitis) or those with a suppressed immune system, such as people with cancer, AIDS or an organ transplant. The virus can cause a life-threatening condition for such people.
Using a medication may shorten the duration of cold sores, but it won't prevent recurrences.
You can take steps to guard against cold sores, to prevent spreading them to other parts of your body or to avoid passing them along to another person. Avoid kissing and skin contact with people while blisters are present to prevent spreading the virus. Also, avoid sharing food or drink with others. The virus can spread as long as there are moist secretions from your blisters.
Wash your hands carefully before touching another person when you have a cold sore.
Be careful about touching other parts of your body. Your eyes and genital area are particularly susceptible to spread of the virus.
Avoid situations that can trigger cold sores, such as cold and sun. Use sun block on your lips and face before prolonged exposure to the sun during both the winter and the summer.
For pain relief, try Tylenol or ibuprofen. When dealing with children do not give them aspirin, which can trigger a rare but potentially fatal disorder known as Reye's syndrome.
Try applying ice to the blisters to ease the pain. Avoid squeezing, pinching or picking at any blister.
