Each of us knows the feeling when you approach the mirror in the morning and see small swelling on your face. Colds on the lips clearly do not paint us outwardly and, among other things, cause pain. It would seem okay. Most people do not cure this pathology, believing that the ailment will recede itself. However, the virus is not so simple, and it is almost impossible to remove it completely from the body. Especially difficult is the presence of infection with young children and pregnant women. In this article, we will consider the causes of the virus, and you will also learn how to treat a cold on the lips.
What it is?
First of all, it should be noted that the virus in question accompanies a person throughout his life. The disease was known before our era and has haunted us since ancient civilizations. Many people ask: is a cold on the lips a cold sore or not? The answer is yes. The prevalence of the virus is currently approaching one hundred percent. In other words, every inhabitant of the planet Earth is infected with herpes simplex.
A distinctive feature of the infection is the fact that once it enters the body, it remains there for life. Immunity in this case is powerless. A cold on the lips is a rather unpleasant ailment, and to get rid of its manifestations, you need to try hard.
Infection methods
Outwardly, herpes manifests itself in the form of small pimple vesicles on the mucous membrane. There is an opinion that neoplasms can occur only on the lips, but this is a fallacy. In fact, a cold appears on any mucous membrane. It is impossible to predict this, so you have to look after the fact.
The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets and through mucosal contact. Herpes is integrated into our body at the genetic level. It is easy to guess that the infection sits in the body of each of us. Therefore, if you had a cold on your lips and you successfully got rid of it, do not rejoice ahead of time. At any time, the sores can come out again, and then again have to deal with the problem. It turns out that the effect of therapy is to translate the status of the virus from active to passive.
Why does herpes appear?
One of the causes of colds on the lips is a decrease in immunity. As already noted, the virus hides at the gene level and, after quality treatment, passes into the passive stage. At a time when the body weakens, herpes activates and attacks. Do not be surprised if you find several pimple-bubbles on your face against the background of flu or a cold.
Strong emotional stress or shock can also cause the appearance of herpes. As you know, due to stress, absolutely any disease can develop, a cold on the lips is no exception. If you do not want to constantly suffer from pathology, take care of your nerves. Restoring psychological balance, you can significantly reduce the burden on the body.
Improper diet can activate herpes. This category can also include the constant torture of yourself with various diets, as a result of which the body lacks vitamins and essential trace elements.
Another cause of colds on the lips is the presence of bad habits. Refusing to smoke and drink alcohol, you can strengthen your immune system and the body as a whole.
Colds are contagious
You must always remember that the virus is contagious. If you touch your sores on your lips with your hands, the infection can get into your hands, and then anywhere. The virus is especially dangerous for the eyes. During the manifestation of the disease, always keep your hands clean, wash them with soap more often.
We will have to come to terms with the fact that in addition to treating the disease, you should constantly think about the safety of your loved ones. For the duration of infection, give up kisses. Also be careful when communicating with other people.
The greatest risk of a cold on the lips is for pregnant women. This is not surprising, because it turns out that while carrying the fetus, the virus became more active in the body. It is not inherited, but there is a high chance to infect the baby during childbirth. Infection in future mothers is quite difficult to cure. As a result, herpes encephalitis is currently one of the most common causes of infant death.
Colds on a child’s lip
As you know, the body of children is more susceptible to viral infections than the body of adults. This is due to a weak immune system, as a result, it cannot provide adequate resistance to herpes and other pathogens. After ingestion, no external changes occur until the virus is activated.
Then the baby will experience constant malaise, pain in the muscles. Then, after a few days, the main symptom appears - a rash of vesicles. A cold on a child’s lip is often accompanied by symptoms such as fever and itching. In addition, burning and slight tingling is found in places of localization of ulcers. In some cases, the bubbles merge with each other and burst.
In the course of the disease, other signs are observed. For example, a baby may have enlarged lymph nodes and a fever. Plus, muscle pain and the spread of a rash on the face are added. Parents need to immediately take the baby to the doctor so that he can figure out the situation.
Possible complications
If for a long time, namely for more than a week, a cold does not pass on the lips, it is time to consult a specialist. Herpes can be the starting point for the development of more complex and serious diseases. If chills, fainting, joint pain are observed at the same time as a cold occurs, you must urgently see a doctor.
As already noted, the herpes virus is especially dangerous when it gets into the eyes. It is necessary to carefully monitor the child, because he can easily rub the sore first, and then touch his eyes. The pathology is very difficult, without the necessary treatment, a person can go blind. The infection also spreads to the skin of the fingers.
Those with weak immunity are at risk, because they immediately affect the internal organs. Detecting the herpes virus is incredibly difficult. How to treat a cold on the lip? The drug that eliminates herpes has not yet been invented. But you can stop the reproduction of the virus, quickly coping with ulcers on the face.
How to quickly cure cold sores on the lip?
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the cause of the disease. This may be the flu, ARVI, hypothermia, and other pathologies. Quite often, a cold develops with sudden changes in air temperature.
When the basis for the appearance of ulcers was hypothermia, it is necessary to take a warm bath and warm up. With this action, you give the immune system a chance to cope with the virus on its own, most often it works.
What helps with a cold on the lips? An excellent remedy is zinc ointment. It dries the surface and disinfects the wound. It is only necessary to apply a paste on the cleansed skin from above and leave. The procedure must be repeated several times a day.
Oxolinic ointment is used in the same way. Only this tool is more effective for the treatment of external ulcers in the nose. Oxolinic ointment is universal, it can be used during pregnancy, because there are practically no contraindications.
Imagine the situation: you got a cold on your lip. What to do if there are no ointments and other means nearby? In this case, you can completely rely on regular toothpaste. Apply a layer of paste on the wound and leave until completely solidified. The method is more effective at night, since regenerative processes occur at this time.
Effective creams and ointments
The above drugs will help to cope with the external manifestation of the infection, but not with the virus itself. To combat herpes, special means must be used.
What ointments help with colds on the lips? Let's consider:
- Herpevir. The drug is a translucent cream that will cure a cold in a short time. Method of application: just apply to the affected surface. It has a neutral smell and a translucent texture.
- "Acyclovir." When they talk about a strong remedy for colds on the lips, it is this ointment that comes to mind. The effectiveness of the drug is in the composition. It contains an antiviral component that suppresses DNA infection, you need to use it every four hours.
- Streptocide ointment. The drug quickly treats herpes. The tool is not an ointment of a narrow specialization, it can be effectively used to treat many skin diseases. Doctors are allowed to use it on the mucous membranes, since the medication is relatively safe.
- Herpferon. Probably the second most popular remedy after Acyclovir. The drug is combined, contains acyclovir, lidocaine hydrochloride and interferon, has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, analgesic and immunomodulating effects. It is not surprising that the effect becomes noticeable immediately after application. The ointment quickly eliminates the symptoms: relieves swelling and relieves itching and burning. If you use the drug before the formation of bubbles, herpes will stop multiplying and rashes will not appear.
ethnoscience
Asking a question that helps with colds on my lips, I want to hear a clear answer. Many underestimate folk methods, so they tend to only treat with medications. However, complex therapy will be the most effective option. It will include two options at the same time, and each of them will complement the other.
Speaking of folk remedies for colds on the lips, we can distinguish fir oil. Its charm is that even if the initial stage of the pathology has passed, you can get rid of herpes in a couple of days. Oil should be applied in copious amounts to the entire lip area. The procedure is repeated after absorption.
A mixture of two cloves of garlic and a spoonful of honey is also considered an effective remedy. It is necessary to mix the ingredients and apply the resulting porridge to the affected areas. It is recommended to renew the compress every four hours.
Sea buckthorn belongs to the category of the most effective folk remedies for colds on the lips. If herpes does not want to go away and periodically pops up on the face, you need to prepare the mixture. In addition to sea buckthorn, it includes aloe leaf, a spoon of apple cider vinegar, half a spoon of salt and baking soda, and half a white onion. The resulting mixture is thoroughly mixed. Method of application: apply on the lip in the morning and evening daily.
It should be understood that with a severe course of the disease, traditional medicine will be powerless. If blisters and a lot of bubbles are found, immediately use special creams and ointments. In no case should you pierce the vesicles, because then ulcers form in this place, which greatly hurt. As an additional treatment, you can use "Chlorhexidine."
Preventative measures
There are situations when people struggle with herpes constantly, but it still appears. In such cases, you need to think about prevention. First of all, protect your lips from the sun, frost and wind. To achieve this, you need to use special creams and ointments that will not allow overheating or overcooling.
In addition, immunity should be enhanced. Exercise, try to harden, observe the daily routine. An excellent option for strengthening immunity would be to consume garlic or ginseng. When the period of SARS and influenza epidemics begins, do not visit public places, generally avoid large crowds.
Self-medication can damage the body more than all viruses and infections. Taking medications without consulting a doctor is a bad idea. Use only the medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Take care of adjusting your diet. You need to add more fresh fruits and vegetables containing vitamin C to it. Try to refuse fatty foods, chocolate and sugar. It will be beneficial for the body to drink plenty of fluids. Here, the preferred options are decoction or tea based on sage, lemon balm and other useful herbs.
As soon as the first symptoms appear, namely itching and burning around the lips, proceed with treatment. Here the question arises: what to choose - drug therapy or traditional medicine? An unmistakable option will be a consultation with a doctor, who will prescribe treatment if necessary.
In our material, we answered the question: "Is a cold on the lips a cold sore or not?" - and talked about the causes of infection and treatment methods. Also, do not forget about preventive measures that will help prevent the disease.