Cold sores: why they appear and how to cure them

  1. What are the gas caps?
  2. Prognosis of cold sores
  3. Symptoms of cold sores
  4. Medical tests for cold sores
  5. What are the causes of cold sores?
  6. Can you prevent cold sores?
  7. Treatments for cold sores
  8. What specialist treats cold sores?

What are cold sores?

A cold sore, also known as angular cheilitis or angular stomatitis, is a sore in the corner of the mouth caused by excessive fungal and/or bacterial growth. This wound can affect one or both sides of the mouth, even both at the same time, causing some pain, redness and peeling at the edge of the mouth. In addition, it presents certain difficulties to open and close the mouth, and therefore to eat.

The cold sores present a cut or a slit at the edge of the lip, and are usually covered by a kind of whitish membrane. The problem may become larger if the wound is constantly touched, delaying its healing and slowing its healing.

Prognosis of cold sores

A cold sore is not a serious pathology by any means, but it is a major nuisance that should be treated appropriately to minimize discomfort and make the patient’s life more comfortable.

The main problem with cold sores is that, as long as it is caused by an infectious process due to fungi or bacteria, contagion by contact is possible.

If not treated in time, the infection can be aggressive, spreading to the mucosa inside the mouth.

Symptoms of cold sores

The main signs and symptoms of cold sores are:

  • Pain when opening the mouth
  • Burning sensation in the wound
  • Dry skin
  • Redness in the area
  • Crusting at the corner of the lips
  • Small cracks at the corner of the lips

Medical tests for cold sores

To carry out the diagnosis of cold sores, the specialist will perform a visual examination of the wound, also knowing the cause that has originated the problem. Thus, the specialist will evaluate the patient’s condition and rule out possible conditions of other pathologies that may be the cause of the appearance of cold sores, such as candidiasis, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, etc…

If symptoms corresponding to these pathologies are detected, an attempt will be made to determine the agent that has caused this infection. Another option may also be to perform a blood test.

What are the causes of cold sores?

On many occasions, cold sores appear after the person has not taken good care of a possible injury in the area, however small it may be.

Thus, for example, when eating, a bad gesture at the moment of trying to put it in the mouth can cause a cut in the lip, and then the cold sore appears. Thus, when the wound is formed, bacteria or fungi can lodge in it due to the contact, delaying its healing and generating the cold sore.

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This can be avoided by maintaining good oral and hand hygiene, since both parts of the body are inhabited by numerous bacteria, so it is important to avoid contact between the two so that they do not reach the wound.

Excessive moisture can worsen the cold sore, as it is in these situations that bacteria feel most comfortable.

Another common cause of cold sores is a poor diet, which leads to a lack of essential nutrients and minerals such as iron, phosphorus or vitamin B12. In patients with these deficiencies, the occurrence of a cleft lip is more common.

On some occasions, cold sores are related to a local factor, such as edentulism, that is, the lack of any dental piece; a poorly adjusted dental prosthesis; an accumulation of saliva in the corners of the lips…

It should also be noted that patients affected by HIV or diseases such as diabetes are more prone to suffer them.

Can cold sores be prevented?

As mentioned above, cold sores can be caused by a weak immune system, when making sudden gestures and if you have an unfavorable diet.

Thus, maintaining a variable diet rich in nutrients will help the person to have an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals.

If the patient has a weak immune system, he/she should work with a specialist to strengthen it.

Proper oral hygiene can help prevent their appearance in case of injury to the area.

Treatments for cold sores

Treatment will vary depending on the cause of the appearance of the cold sore. Thus, it will be directed to treat the origin of the problem. Thus, depending on its cause, there will be various options to alleviate its effects.

  • If the cause is an ill-fitting dental prosthesis, it will be readjusted to adapt it to the measurements of the patient’s mouth.
  • If the pathology has appeared as a consequence of another pathology, the treatment will be directed to treat it.
  • If the origin is a poor diet and a nutritional deficit, it is possible that vitamin complexes will be prescribed or an attempt will be made to modify the diet to make up for the deficiencies.
  • If the condition is caused by an infection, topical antibiotic and antifungal creams will be applied.

In turn, there are a number of measures that can help heal the wound:

  • Avoid touching the lesions
  • Reduce the consumption of acidic, very hot or spicy food or food.
  • Open your mouth moderately

Which specialist treats cold sores?

A family physician or a specialist in internal medicine will be the first to treat a cold sore. However, if it is diagnosed that the origin of the disease is caused by another pathology, such as diabetes or an infection, the specialist in that pathology will be in charge of treating it.