What Causes Cold Sores in the Mouth and How to Treat Them?
What Causes Cold Sores in the Mouth and How to Treat Them?
Herpes in the mouth is an infection, usually caused by the herpes simplex virus. This virus is activated when the body’s immune system is weakened or under stress. Cold sores appear as small blisters around the mouth or on the lips and are usually painful and uncomfortable.
Treatment is usually aimed at relieving symptoms and may include antiviral drugs, painkillers or topical creams. It is also important to keep infected areas clean and avoid contact to prevent the spread of infection. If oral herpes recurs frequently or is severe, it is important to consult a health care professional.
Cold sores in the mouth are usually caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1). The virus is transmitted through direct contact, such as kissing, using common objects. When the immune system is weakened, in situations such as stress, fatigue, illness, the virus becomes active and causes cold sores.
What are the Symptoms of Cold Sores in the Mouth?
- Redness and swelling: Cold sores in the mouth usually start with redness and swelling in a specific area. This area can usually be on the edge of the lips or inside the mouth.
- Itching and Burning: Before the cold sore develops, there may be an itching or burning sensation in the area. This sensation can be a sign of cold sores forming.
- Formation of Blisters: After redness and swelling, small blisters may appear. These blisters may be fluid-filled and may burst over time, forming a sore.
- Pain and Discomfort: As herpes develops, pain and discomfort in the mouth may increase. This discomfort may become more pronounced, especially when eating or talking.
- Scab: After the blisters burst, scabs may form in the mouth. These scabs are usually part of the healing process and fall off on their own.
- Lymph node swelling: In some cases, swelling of the lymph glands in the neck or under the chin can occur with oral herpes. This is a sign that the body is fighting the infection.
- General weakness: Some people may feel a general malaise when they develop oral herpes. This is related to the strain on the body’s immune system.
What Are Effective Ways to Prevent Cold Sores in the Mouth?
There are some effective ways to prevent cold sores in the mouth.The first is to strengthen your immune system. A balanced diet, adequate sleep and regular exercise can support your immune system and prevent the herpes virus from activating. It is also important to avoid stress. Stress can weaken the immune system, which can lead to cold sores.
In addition, using sunscreen can prevent cold sores by protecting your lips from the harmful effects of the sun.When cold sore symptoms are felt, it is important to pay attention to hygiene rules to prevent the spread of the virus. In particular, cleaning the cold sore area often and washing your hands can prevent the infection from spreading to other people or other parts of your body.
Covering the cold sore and taking care not to touch it can also reduce the risk of spread.Finally, it is important to recognize factors that can trigger cold sores in the mouth. For example, some people may find that certain foods trigger the appearance of cold sores. In this case, avoiding these foods or limiting their consumption can prevent cold sores from recurring.
What Are Common Misconceptions About Cold Sores in the Mouth?
Lack of knowledge about the causes and common misconceptions about oral herpes can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and incorrect practices. Many people think that cold sores in the mouth are only associated with sexually transmitted diseases. However, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually transmitted through the mouth and is often spread by contact with the saliva of an infected person. Therefore, oral herpes can be transmitted not through sexual activity, but even through everyday contact, such as a simple kiss or a shared drink.
Another common misconception is that oral herpes only occurs due to stress or colds. In reality, stress and a weakened immune system can contribute to the activation of HSV-1, but the triggers for cold sores can vary from person to person. In addition, the common cold can often mimic cold sores, leading to frequent confusion between the two conditions. Some people think that cold sores only appear on the edge of the lips, when in fact they can also appear on the nose, inside the cheeks or other areas of the oral mucosa. Therefore, the symptoms of oral herpes may not always be on the lips, which can affect the diagnosis and treatment process.
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