How Cold Sores Form

Cold sores are common conditions that affect millions of people in Texas and across the United States. Cold sores are little blisters that appear and linger on your lips, becoming incredibly annoying. Unfortunately, these blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus, which many people are exposed to during childhood. Many people wonder how cold sores form and if there is relief from these blisters. At Lovett Dental North Heights, we have answers to these questions and relief from the infection. To learn more about our specialty dental services, such as cold sore removal, contact our dentist’s office in Houston’s North Heights area today by calling 832-617-5531.

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores are blisters full of fluid, which appear on your lips and around your mouth. These blisters, also known as fever blisters, tend to be highly contagious, but they are usually not serious. In fact, if you are a healthy person in general, the cold sore will probably clear up in a few weeks on its own.

If you are exposed to this virus, the frequency of the outbreak varies from one person to another. Some people develop these blisters several times a year, while others only develop them once or twice in their entire lives.

How Cold Sores Form

These blisters develop due to a virus, which never goes away entirely. Instead, it remains inactive until something triggers it. It will travel through the nerves into your lips during this time, where the blister will eventually develop. A range of factors may trigger your cold sore, including:

Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menstruation
Extreme temperatures
Physical or emotional stress
Sunburn
Fever or illness, like the cold or flu
Fatigue
Having damaged, cracked, or dry lips

The process of a cold sore forming is most painful the first time they develop. The first sign of the virus forming is a burning, itching, or tingling sensation that you’ll feel on or in the area of your lips. This feeling will begin somewhere between 12 and 24 hours before the blister appears. When the blisters start to form, the area will become painful, red, and swollen. Over the following few days, the blisters will begin to rupture, oozing fluid either clear or slightly yellow. This period is often called the weeping phase of cold sore development.

After the weeping phase, the cold sore will crust and scab over, signaling that it is beginning to heal. However, it may bleed or crack during this phase. Once it finishes healing, the scab will fall off. Underneath, your skin may be slightly more pink or red, which will stay for a few days. In general, it takes one or two weeks for your blisters to heal entirely.

Cold Sore Treatment at the Dentist

At Lovett Dental North Heights, we’re proud to provide painless cold sore removal services. We know that the blisters can be uncomfortable or embarrassing, and all you want to do is get rid of it and go back to your life. Fortunately, we now offer revolutionary laser technology to remove your blisters instantly and painlessly. Not only will they stop the virus and take away the pain at once, but it will also speed the healing process and ensure that the infection will no longer return to the same place. Our method only takes a couple of minutes, after which you can go back to your busy lifestyle. In addition to our cold sore removal services, we offer a range of general, cosmetic, restorative, and specialty dental services, including: