Cold sores - these unpleasant, crunchy, painful sores that come out of uninvited. How can you get rid of the ugly buggers? And how can you keep them from returning?
First, what is a cold sore? As a rule, a cold sore begins with an uncomfortable feeling on or around the lips. (Some unfortunate souls have flashes on the nose and shoulders or around them.) Many people describe this feeling as a tingling sensation, others as fullness, pain, soreness or discomfort. At this point, the skin may appear completely normal. The reason why these sores get sick more than, say, mosquito bites is due to the fact that nerve endings are involved. The virus (usually herpes type I) is at rest in nerve cells and is periodically reactivated.
In the second phase, usually every other day or so, the area becomes reddened, bloated or swollen. Cold ulcers increase for a few more days, after which the crust begins (healing phase). By another week or two, the lesions were resolved.
Cold sores are called "herpes" because they usually occur during physical stress, such as when you have a cold. For some women, they occur monthly, around the menstrual cycle. However, cold ulcers seem to have a mind of their own and can flare up at any time. They are most contagious when the ulcers are fresh - even before the blossom blossoms. If you feel that one will come, avoid kissing and other close contacts.
Warning: do not confuse cold sores with ulcers of the ulcer. Ulcers, also called aphthous ulcers, are found inside the mouth and look like small white ulcers with a reddened border. Most of the time, they are not caused by the herpes virus and are not improved by antiviral drugs. (Aphtasol © (amelanox) works well for ulcer ulcers, costs about $ 30 for a small tube and is available only by prescription.)
As for herpes, the question is whether to treat an outbreak or use preventive medication or both. People who develop lesions only once or twice a year are well suited for treating only cases. Those with more frequent outbreaks may want to suppress the infection with daily medications.
The most effective drugs are prescription antiviruses. Just as penicillin kills streptococcal bacteria, antiviral drugs kill or weaken viral "germs."
What is the best cure for herpes? It depends on what you are looking for: quick relief? budget? minimal side effects? light dosing?
Now that oral acyclovir has become common, this is the least expensive treatment option. For less than $ 20, you can treat a crop of cold sores or take medication daily to prevent an outbreak. (Some pharmacies have acyclovir on their list for $ 4). For prophylaxis, once or twice daily dosage is often effective. Treatment may require taking acyclovir up to five times a day. Most people tolerate acyclovir with few side effects.
Acyclovir and penciclovir masks are also effective, especially when used at the first sign of an outbreak. However, these topical medicines work from $ 50 to $ 70 for a small pipe. Regardless of whether you use a cream or capsules, treat the affected area as soon as you suspect that an outbreak can prevent the development of ulcers. Ointments are a good choice for people who do not tolerate oral medications (for example, due to headaches or stomach problems. True allergic patients should not generally use topical preparations)
Oral valacyclovir and famicyclovir are antiviral drugs that have the advantage of less frequent dosing, but a higher cost (easily more than $ 100 for outbreak treatment).
Just by reading the aforementioned drug names, you will probably conclude that these drugs are similar. In my medical practice, I can not say that one is superior to the other, except for ease of dosing and individual side effects.
Any of these drugs will work better than over-the-counter medications, but at what price? Damage will be resolved by itself (if you are not weakened by immunity). If graduation is next week, you probably want to invest in prescription drug. But if this is a choice between medicines and holidays, I will choose the latter.
Copyright © 2010 Cynthia J Koelker MD
