How to Prevent & Treat Cold Sores

Painful lips, an unsightly sore and – worst of all – no kissing! Cold sores are no one’s idea of fun, and in our work providing wisdom teeth removal in Sydney, we encounter many patients who suffer from repeated bouts of cold sores around the mouth. We are often asked how to treat and prevent cold sores and whether they are linked to wisdom teeth pain, so we thought we’d share our tips for preventing and treating cold sores at the source.

Cold sores are itchy, stinging sores that appear on or around the lips that can lead to feeling ‘fluey’ and run down. Cold sores usually last for several days to a couple of weeks. They are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus, a virus that cannot be cured. And although it is estimated that 90% of adults have the herpes simplex virus, in many people the virus does not result in cold sores. Despite the incurability of the virus, some common triggers for cold sores can be avoided.

To prevent the herpes simplex virus:

• Use lip balm to avoid dry, cracked lips
• Apply sun protection (such as zinc) to your lips when spending time in the sun
• Take a lysine supplement
• Avoid contact with infected body fluids (such as other cold sores)
• Avoid triggers

Common triggers for cold sores include:

• Stress
• Colds & flus
• Contact with objects used by someone who has a cold sore (such as towels, pillows)
• Sharing cutlery, crockery and drinking vessels with someone who has a cold sore
• Excessive exposure to sunlight
• Exposure to windy conditions
• Hormone changes (such as occur during menstruation)

Treatments for cold sores include:

• Prescription medications (such as acyclovir)
• Avoiding touching the sore to stop it from spreading
• Taking a lysine supplement

While we do not recommend undergoing dental surgery while you have a cold sore, if you are suffering from wisdom teeth pain and suspect you require wisdom teeth extraction in Sydney, contact the dental professionals at Wisdom Dental as soon as possible for a wisdom teeth removal cost quote.