The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 causes cold sores. They usually manifest in the form of groups of painful blisters filled with fluid that appear on the lip.
Cold sores could reappear time and again. Usually their reappearance coincides with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands, bleeding gums, cold, or with flu. Such signs may be present for several days.
There are several conditions that trigger cold sores, including, stress, trauma to the skin, hormonal changes, changes in the body's immunes defense system, and exposure to UV radiation. Sometimes, cold sores reappear even when there is no apparent change of circumstance for the recurrence.
While most other viral infections subside due to the activity of the body's immune defense system, HSV-1 seems to be an exception. Another aspect of the HSV-1 infection is that it is contagious.
In some people, the appearance of cold sores is preceded by a burning and tingling sensation. This can occur some hours to two days before the cold sores actually appear.
Sometimes, a group of cold sore blisters can combine to form one big blister. Cold sores are quite painful. They are diagnosed usually by appearance.
Cold sores do not have any cure nor require medical care in normal circumstances and they heal by themselves in a period ranging from 2 weeks to 6 weeks, usually without scars. However, because of swollen glands, there may be eating and/or drinking difficulty, and the consequent dehydration requires medical care and attention.
You can use self-care at home to relieve pain from cold sores temporarily and prevent the spread of HSV-1 from a patient to a close contact. The first can be done by pressing cold compresses to the cold sores.
The second consists in taking precautions to avoid contact or sharing cups and eating utensils with the infected person.
Now we will discuss canker sores, we know what they are, but the exact cause is still unknown. Women statistically suffer from canker sores more often than men. Canker sores are typically seen in people between the ages of 10 and 40, although they have been known to show up at any age.
Canker sores are caused by injuries to the mouth, as seen frequently by contact sports players. Accidentally biting the inside of the cheek or lip may also result in a canker sore, temperature hot food or drink may cause a canker sore in the area of the mouth that was essentially burnt by the offending substance, spicy and/or acidic foods often produce a canker sore as a response to the irritation these spices and acids create in the mouth.
The use of chewing (smokeless) tobacco will often cause a canker sore to develop in the area of the mouth where the tobacco is held, due to the irritating chemicals found in the addictive product. Poor-fitting, complete or partial dentures may cause canker sores in the area of the mouth where the denture may rubbing on the tissue.
The development of a canker sore is often one of the first signs that indicate the need for a denture reline or adjustment by your dentist. Allergies to metals such as nickel may become evident in the mouth of a person wearing orthodontic devices necessary to move the teeth.
Broken teeth are often sharp and may rub on the oral tissues to produce painful canker sores. Broken restorations may also cause a similar effect on the oral tissues. Emotional stress has been identified as a possible trigger that may cause the development of canker sores.
Canker sores often run in families. Genetics my be a factor for many canker sore sufferers.
Treatment is generally not necessary for most canker sores as they tend to heal quickly on their own. If canker sores persist for longer than 2 weeks, see the dentist.
See your dentist immediately if canker sores become unusually larger than normal, are extremely painful, interfering with eating, drinking, and talking. If they begin to appear more frequently than normal you should call your dentist.
They should heal after about 14 days, so if they are not then that is another sign to contact your dentist. And if you have a fever or they appear to become infected that requires medical consult as well.
Author Resource:-
Ronald Pedactor is a former dental assistant and has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and dentist in Santa Cruz. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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