Oral herpes: What is it and how to treat it?

Those who repeatedly struggle with a cold sore on the lip, which is also known as oral herpes, will surely agree that it is nothing pleasant. How does oral herpes arise, what are the symptoms and how to treat it effectively? All this you will learn in the following article.

The most common symptoms of oral herpes

The very first contact with the virus is usually asymptomatic. However, if a cold sore develops, the first symptoms include subtle tingling in the lips and possibly itching or irritation. Subsequently, small blisters appear, which usually hurt or burn. After some time, the blisters burst and are replaced by swollen sores, which then turn into scabs. However, if the scabs burst, the healing of cold sores can be prolonged.

Most often, cold sores appear when the immunity is weakened, in connection with another infection or when the person is exposed to sunlight or, on the contrary, to frost. Stress is also a common cause of cold sores on the lips.

How long does oral herpes take to heal?

An untreated cold sore usually progresses through five distinct stages, over a period of 8 to 10 days.

On the first day, a tingling stage appears, which usually lasts for a few hours. The blister stage, when fluid-filled blisters containing millions of viral particles begin to appear, occurs on the second to fourth day. During the fourth day, the boil stage usually occurs, which can be very painful.

During the fifth to eighth day, the so-called scab stage comes on, which should never be peeled off but allowed to fall off freely. The last stage is called the healing stage and usually falls on the eighth to tenth day. If the oral herpes persists for more than 10 days and over-the-counter creams and preparations do not help, consult your doctor for further action.

Tip: Kamistad Oral Gel

Kamistad oral gel could be a suitable adjuvant pain relief solution during cold sores infections, thanks to the anti-inflammatory action of its natural chamomile extract included as a key ingredient in addition to the local anaesthetic effect of Lidocaine which acts through numbing the pain during the attack.

Dietary modifications may also help

If you have been dealing with cold sores on your lips for a long time, you should pay attention to your diet. Foods that are rich in the amino acid arginine, which is found mainly in chocolate, nuts, wheat, barley, corn, and Brussels sprouts, have been linked to a higher incidence of cold sores.

What to avoid in case of a cold sore on the lip?

If an oral herpes appears on your lip, do not touch it, squeeze it or try to pierce it with a needle. All these interventions could lead to a secondary bacterial infection. Remember also that oral herpes is contagious, so until the cold sore is cured, avoid sharing glasses and cutlery and also kissing.

Similarly, consuming foods and drinks that weaken immunity, such as foods high in sugar or alcohol, is not recommended. Ideally, you should also avoid eating sour foods that may irritate the area affected by the cold sore.

Preventing cold sores

You may be wondering if there are any preventive measures you can take to avoid developing a cold sore. Unfortunately, we must say that there is no guaranteed way to avoid oral herpes. However, as with other infectious diseases, boosting your immune system can help.

Of course, if you know what triggers you to develop cold sores, we recommend avoiding all possible factors. For some people who struggle with cold sores repeatedly, increased care of the skin on the lips also helps.

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