Cold Sore Treatments

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are small, painful blisters filled with clear fluid that typically appear on or around the lips, mouth, or nose. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), specifically HSV-1. More than half of Americans, ages 14-49, carry HSV-1. These blisters can break open, releasing the fluid and forming a crust over the sore, eventually healing in a couple of weeks without treatment.

How are cold sores treated?

If you experience the initial tingling sensation that often accompanies a cold sore outbreak, it’s important to contact your dentist immediately. During a routine exam, we can diagnose your cold sore and determine whether laser treatment is the right option for you. Laser treatment works by eliminating the virus and stopping the progression of the herpetic lesion, which means you shouldn’t experience additional sores.

The following are the typical recovery times you can expect:

• Two days with laser treatment. Patients often report that cold sores begin to heal immediately after treatment.
• Three to four days with ointment or cream.
• Two to four weeks without any treatment.

The effectiveness of treatments vary person to person, and starting treatment as soon as symptoms begin is crucial, as fully developed lesions may not be treatable with laser treatment.

How long is a cold sore contagious?

Cold sores are highly contagious, especially when the blisters burst, but even without visible sores, the virus can be spread through saliva, shared utensils, or other close contact.

Cold sores are most contagious when the first symptoms (such as tingling, itching, or burning at the site) appear through the blistering phase until the sore has completely healed and formed a new layer of skin with no scab remaining. This period usually spans from just before the outbreak (when the tingling sensation begins) to when the cold sore has fully healed (typically, 2 to 4 weeks without treatment).