Mouth conditions Flashcards
What is a cold sore
Cold sore are fluid-filled blisters caused by HSV
- commonly appear on the lips or the bottom edge of the nose
- Most start with a tingling sensation
Herpes simplex is a virus (HSV) that causes oral herpes or cold sores around the mouth or face, and genital herpes.
There are 2 types of HSV
HSV type 1 (HSV1) most commonly causes cold sores, but it can also cause genital herpes.
HSV type 2 (HSV2) is the usual cause of genital herpes, but it can also infect the mouth.
Left untreated, how long does a cold sore take to heal
7 to 10 days
What are some triggers for a cold sore
-other viral infections (such as cold or flu)
- Stress
- dental work
- sun
- hormonal changes in women
What is some self-care advice?
- Cold sores are easily spread from person to person, especially when the cold sore is weeping
- avoid kissing
- avoid sharing towels
- Avoid sharing utensils
- Wash hands before and after applying cold sore products
- Do not share cold sore cream
What is a medicated ointment?
What is its purpose?
Blistex medicated relief (contains camphor, padimate & oxybenzone)
- Helps protect the lips from sun, win and cold. May help prevent recurrence of cold sores induced by the sun.
- Relieves cold sore discomfort
What are some antiviral agents (topical)
What is their purpose?
- Aciclovir
- Idoxuridine + lignocaine
- Povidone iodine
- peniciclovir (Pharmacy only)
- May prevent cold sore appearing (tingling stage)
- reduce healing time
What are some antiviral agents (oral)
What is their purpose
- famciclovir
- Famiciclovir is a prodrug of penciclovir. It inhibits viral DNA replication.
- Suitable for adults aged 18 years and older to treat recurrentvoutbreaks of cold sores
What are some healing/protective plasters?
What is their purpose?
- Compeed invisible cold sore patch
- Keeps cold sores moist, creating a beneficial wound-healing environment
- Relieves pain, burning and itching, and prevents scabbing.
Hides, and protects cold sore and helps prevent the spread to other people
