What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth that are caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. They can be spread when a person touches a cold sore or contacts the infected fluid from sharing eating utensils or razors, or through kissing or touching that person’s saliva. A parent who has a cold sore often spreads the infection to his or her child in this way.

About 40% of adults in North America get cold sores. They are painful, fluid-filled blisters that show up on the lips and around the mouth.

The symptoms (warning signs) of cold sores may include a tingling, itching or pain around your mouth and on your lips, a fever, a sore throat, or swollen glands in your neck or other parts of the body. After the blisters appear, the cold sores usually break open, leak a clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after several days to 2 weeks. For some people, cold sores can be very painful.

Most cold sore sufferers have just learned to live with the blisters when they show up. Cold sores will usually go away on their own within 2 weeks. Many over the counter ointments and creams claim to reduce healing times and can reduce the uncomfortable symptoms but nothing has been as effective as the soft tissue laser treatment now available at Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in San Ramon, CA.

If you catch the lesion in time with laser treatment, you can prevent the cold sore from breaking out. As soon as you feel that tingling sensation that warns you of an on-coming sore, schedule an appointment for a laser treatment with Dr. Kaeley. If you already have a full blown sore, the laser will take away the discomfort and help it to dry up and heal much faster.

Laser therapy is especially effective if you can treat the cold sore early. Treating the area as soon as you notice signs such as tingling, burning, itching or a painful feeling around your lips can even prevent the breakout. If you already have a cold sore, laser treatment can speed healing and greatly reduce the pain and discomfort. Repeated laser therapy can even prevent cold sores from returning in the same area.

• It is high tech, yet affordable
• Laser energy destroys the virus that causes the sore
• Relief is immediate and profound
• Can prevent a breakout if treated once the lips begin to tingle or itch
• Laser treatment is quick and can be performed without anesthesia
• Heals faster without further discomfort
• Cold sores reoccur with less intensity and frequency at the same location after laser treatment

If you suffer from pain and discomfort caused by cold sores, call our office immediately once you feel a cold sore starting and we will do our best to fit you in right away.