subject: Answers to Cold Sore Treatment Questions [print this page] Answers to Cold Sore Treatment Questions
Cold sores, in general, have no cure. Why? Because the causative agent, the herpes virus, hides itself deep into the nerve roots, where it cannot be easily cleaned up by drugs that are made available in our market these days. Nonetheless, there are a lot of medications that are prescribed by medical health practitioners during clinic visits. These medications will be discussed shortly. Let us first acquaint ourselves with what is a cold sore.
What is a Cold Sore?
A cold sore is viral in origin and is a contagious medical condition. This means that it can easily be transmitted from one person to another. Moreover, cold sores are also known as herpes simplex type 1; it got its name from the above stated causative agent, the herpes simplex virus. Also, fever blisters are sometimes called, fever, blisters, as it's usually associated with the occurrence of fever.
Medical Treatment
It's important to note that medications that are pharmaceutical companies are producing indicated for cold sores can only reduce the duration or the span of time of the attack of such virus, as well as the symptoms and signs of cold sores. Nonetheless, the drugs may be presented as a pill or a topical medication - meaning, those medications that are applied on the affected as part, for example the skin. In addition, it can also either be an over-the-counter drug or those that needs to be prescribed by your respective medical health practitioner.
Lipactin gel and Zilactin are examples of topical OTC drugs. These tropical medications can only alleviate the pain, itching, and burning sensation brought about by the presence of the cold sores. Furthermore, these kinds of drugs act for a short duration only, lasting for a maximum time of 20-30 minutes.
Allantoin and petrolatum may be applied to prevent the cracking of lesion, acting to moisten the lesion only. These examples of topical OTC drugs thereby provide relief of pain. In addition, ibuprofen and acetaminophen may bring about comfort as these drugs can provide pain relief, too.
It's very essential to be notified too of the medications that must not be given to children under 12 years of age who have acquired cold sores. Such examples of these medications are anti-viral drugs that we, especially the parents, must take note are Famciclovir and Valacyclovir.
Since there is no considered cure to cold sores, only relief of symptoms and discomforts brought about by its occurrence, it can be expected that recurrence may be intermittent throughout one's life. With this knowledge on hand therefore, preventive measures such as washing of hands every after any activity must be practiced regularly.
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