Have you noticed that you get cold sores more often in winter? You are probably right! There are several reasons why, which we will discuss here. More important, Dr. John Hening can treat a winter cold sore.
While cold sores will go away on their own, there are many good reasons not to wait for that to happen. At Junction Creek Family Dentistry, we can treat your cold sore with a laser. This treatment will:
- Prevent you from infecting a loved one
- Make you less self-conscious about your appearance
- Avoid pain, oozing, and other unpleasant results of a winter cold sore
- Stop the progress of the lesion or even prevent a lesion from occurring if treatment is received early enough
- Reduce the frequency of sores
To schedule an exam and see if you’re a good candidate for treatment with our high-tech laser, call our Durango, CO office today at 970-507-8391.
What Causes a Winter Cold Sore
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus-1, or HSV-1. This is a mild – and quite common – form of herpes that is related to the more damaging HSV-2. According to the Mayo Clinic some 90 percent of adults worldwide test positive for the virus that causes cold sores, even if they’ve never experienced any symptoms of an infection.
Since cold sores are contagious, you can spread them through close physical contact with others or by sharing utensils or food. Infection can occur even if you don’t have visible blisters.
You may get a winter cold sore because:
- Exposure to cold can trigger a cold sore outbreak, as can repeatedly moving from cold environments to warm ones.
- Harsh winds can dry out your lips, which makes them more susceptible to cold sores.
- Dry, warm air in heated homes can encourage virus outbreaks.
- Less vitamin D in the body can increase your risk of developing cold sores.
- If your immune system is busy fighting a cold or similar illness, it is more vulnerable to attacks by other bacteria and viruses.
Know the Symptoms of a Cold Sore
One of the best things about treating a cold sore with a laser is its ability to actually stop the lesion from occurring if you seek help as soon as you notice symptoms. In addition, laser treatment can reduce the number of cold sores and their severity.
These are common symptoms of a winter cold sore:
- Tingling sensation or itchiness around your mouth
- Swollen glands, especially in your neck
- Sore throat
Call us ASAP if you notice these symptoms, and you may not even get a blister! If you already have a cold sore, laser treatment will help dry it up and heal it far more quickly.
A laser procedure can be completed within minutes and with no discomfort.
How to Avoid a Cold-Weather Outbreak
Of course, you can also take steps to avoid getting a winter cold sore in the first place. We recommend:
- Not sharing your food or utensils with others
- Avoiding contact with those who have cold sores
- Shielding your mouth from winter weather with a scarf
- Using a lip balm to keep your lips moisturized
- Boosting your immune system with vitamin C and vitamin E, by eating foods rich in these substances and/or taking supplements
- Avoiding stress as much as possible, since cold sores can be triggered by stress
Interested in laser treatment for your winter cold sore? Junction Creek Family Dentistry at 970-507-8391.