Cold Sore Treatment
New treatment options exist offering relief to the pain and embarrassment of cold sores and may lead to faster recovery times. Laser cold sore therapy offers relief and has the potential to reduce the duration of cold sores significantly, and in some cases, even prevent their occurrence.
Cold Sore Laser Treatment in Highlands Ranch, CO
Usually, cold sores will naturally heal within a few weeks after appearing, with a few days needed for the initial outbreak to subside. Over-the-counter remedies like creams and ointments can help speed up this process to three or four days. Recent laser cold sore treatments have shown that if identified and treated promptly, recovery periods can be considerably shortened, and future cold sore outbreaks can even be prevented.
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What are cold sores?
Herpetic lesions, more commonly known as cold sores, are tiny blisters that develop on or around the lips and mouth and are triggered by a herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) infection. It is a widespread condition, affecting approximately 67% of the world’s population. Despite there being no definitive cure for HSV-1, laser therapy and over-the-counter treatments have been shown to shorten healing times.
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How are cold sores treated?
If you experience the early tingling signs of a cold sore outbreak, it’s recommended to contact your dentist without delay. Your dentist can assess your cold sore during a regular check-up and offer appropriate advice. Laser treatment works by eradicating the virus that causes the cold sore and preventing further progression of the herpetic lesion, reducing the likelihood of additional sores.
Here are the recovery times you can typically expect:
- Laser treatment usually takes two days.
- Without laser treatment, it may take around four to five days and weeks for a full recovery.
- Ointments or creams may take around three to four days to help with recovery.
Fully developed lesions may not be curable with laser treatment. Hence, early detection and treatment are critical in managing cold sore outbreaks.
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What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are a widespread viral infection that results in small fluid-filled blisters on and around the lips, commonly grouped together in clusters. Once the blisters rupture, a scab usually forms over the sore, which will heal naturally within two to four weeks without scarring. The transmission of cold sores occurs through close contact between people, including kissing. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) causes cold sores, and it’s closely related to the one that causes genital herpes (HSV-2). These blisters are infectious even before they become visible.
More Questions?
Should you require additional information regarding cold sore treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our office, and we will be pleased to provide further details.
