Cold Sore (part-1): cause, symptoms and stages

Dr Rahul Tripathi (BDS,MDS in Prosthodontics and Implantology) follow me facebook:   / dr-rahul-tripathi-2294844664116166   instagram:   / rrahultripathii   Appointment Booking : Whats up no.- 7985126945 What is a cold sore? A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister (or a cluster of blisters)that usually appears on your lip or on other areas of the face (cheeks, nose and chin). Other names for cold sores include oral herpes, fever blisters and herpes simplex labialis What causes cold sores? Cold sores are sometimes called oral herpes because the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes them. This virus is very common and highly contagious. It spreads through saliva or close contact — often through kissing or by sharing utensils, straws, towels or lip balm with someone who has a cold sore. You may not know HSV-1 has infected you because the symptoms of exposure to HSV-1 are generally mild. After initial exposure to HSV-1, children sometimes develop a fever and small blisters inside and around their mouths. How do you get cold sores? After HSV-1 has infected you, the virus never goes away. It remains inactive (dormant) in a group of nerve cells in your face called the trigeminal ganglion. Because it can be dormant, some people aren’t aware they have the virus for months or even years after exposure. When something triggers — or activates — the virus, it “wakes up” and travels through your nerves to your lips, where a cold sore develops. After an outbreak, the virus goes back to sleep in your body. What triggers a cold sore in one person might not cause an outbreak in another person. Some people with HSV-1 never develop sores. A variety of factors can activate a cold sore, including: Hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy. Sunburn. Extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Stress (physical or emotional). Fatigue. Fever and illness, such as cold or flu. Damaged, dry or cracked lips. Symptoms Initial symptoms of an HSV-1 infection may appear 2–20 days after exposure to the virus and can include: lesions on the tongue, mouth, chin, cheeks, or in the nostrils mouth or tongue pain lip swelling difficulty swallowing a sore throat swollen lymph nodes a high body temperature headaches dehydration nausea You may experience the following cold sore stages: 1. The first sign is often a tingling, burning or itching sensation on or around your lips. This cold sore early stage begins about 12 to 24 hours before the sore develops. 2. The area becomes red, swollen and painful as the blisters form. 3. Over the next two to three days, the blisters rupture and ooze a clear or slightly yellow fluid. This is sometimes called the “weeping phase.” 4. About four to five days after the cold sore appears, it crusts and scabs over. It might crack or bleed as it heals. 5. The scab then falls off, revealing skin that may be a little more pink or reddish than usual for a few days. It usually takes one to two weeks for the sore to heal completely. #coldsore #drrahultripathi #indradentalvlogs