Mouth ulcers: Advice, symptoms and treatment

Facts & Advice about Canker sores

Fast help within 15 minutes

Have you previously been diagnosed with herpes? At Recetas Medicas, you get a quick medical assessment and prescription within 15 minutes. Answer a few questions for help with ongoing outbreaks or to receive preventative treatment – ​​a prescription to use in future outbreaks.

What is herpes?

Herpes is a virus that primarily causes blisters and sores on the skin. There are many different types of herpes viruses but the ones linked to oral and genital herpes are Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is usually associated with oral sores, such as cold sores, while HSV-2 is more associated with genital sores, that is, sores that appear in the genital area. The herpes virus results in a chronic latent infection, which means it exists in the body without showing any obvious signs or symptoms. When reactivated, the virus becomes active and causes symptoms again.

How do cold sores spread?

Mouth ulcers are spread in different ways, but the most common way to get infected is through a person without symptoms. However, the risk of infection is greatest with direct contact with an infected area. This can happen via kisses, sharing of personal items such as towels, bedding, toothbrushes and more. However, it is unusual for herpes to be transmitted via objects as the virus is very sensitive and dies quickly on surfaces outside the body. Herpes is highly contagious, which explains why so many (70-90%) are estimated to be infected at some point in their lives. Far from everyone knows that they have been infected with herpes, but some have recurrent problems with blisters around the mouth which can be very troublesome.

A person who carries herpes cannot have an outbreak from someone who has an ongoing outbreak. However, there is a risk of being infected by another type of herpes virus or the risk of moving the virus to another location, for example genital or around the cuticles, which is why one should be careful in the event of an ongoing outbreak.

What do cold sores look like?

Mouth ulcers are characterized by painful blisters in and around the mouth. The most common locations are on and around the lips, in the oral mucosa, on the gums or in the palate. Sometimes it can also be in other places on the face and around the nose. The very first symptoms are itching, burning or tingling in the place where the blisters will form. Subsequently, fluid-filled blisters develop, which often sit in groups. The blisters can be painful and usually burst within a few days, leaving open sores. After a while these blisters are covered by crusts which then heal without scarring. The blisters are usually small, round and surrounded by a red border. From the first symptoms to healing, it takes about 7-10 days.

In the case of a first-time infection, you may have different symptoms than in the case of a recurring episode. A first outbreak is often more severe and symptoms such as fever, malaise, widespread blisters both in and around the mouth, inflammation of the gums and difficulty eating due to pain can occur.

An uncommon complication that can occur is encephalitis or meningitis. If you have an ongoing herpes outbreak and concurrent fever, neck stiffness, headache, or severe malaise, you should seek medical attention immediately.

What causes cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus. There are different types of herpes virus, but the ones that usually cause cold sores are herpes simplex type 1 and type 2. A first infection requires infection from someone else. In case of reactivation, the outbreak of blisters is triggered by a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system makes it more difficult for the body to keep the virus in check, which increases the risk of outbreaks. There are various causes of a weakened immune system, for example;

• Stress. Physical and emotional stress can weaken the immune system, which makes the virus more easily activated.
• Impaired immune system due to illness or medication.
• Strong sunlight or cold.
• Fever.
• Injury or severe cold to the lips.
• Hormonal changes such as menstruation.

In some cases, herpes outbreaks occur without any obvious trigger. Certain individuals are likely to be more prone to repeated outbreaks.

How long is oral herpes contagious?

Herpes is most contagious during the first few days, especially when there are visible, fluid-filled, sore blisters. When the blisters heal, the risk of spreading the infection decreases, even if it does not disappear completely. The contagious period for a first infection can be slightly longer compared to a recurrent infection. In the case of a first infection, the virus levels are normally somewhat higher and the infection more severe, which is why it usually takes longer to heal the infection, which results in a longer period of contagiousness.

It normally takes about 7-10 days from the time the first symptoms appear until the infection heals in the case of a recurrent infection and up to 3 weeks in the case of a first infection.

It is important to know that the herpes virus can spread without visible symptoms, so-called asymptomatic spread.

How to avoid getting cold sores?

Mouth ulcers are generally difficult to avoid as the virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted both with and without symptoms. You can try to think about avoiding close contact and sharing hygiene items with someone with an ongoing outbreak and having good hand hygiene. For you with ongoing herpes outbreaks, it is also important to remember to wash your hands often to avoid spreading the virus from one place to another. Also avoid poking, scratching or touching the sores or blisters.

Babies and pregnant women are extra sensitive to herpes infection, which is why you should avoid close contact with these groups if you know you have an ongoing outbreak.

Treatment mouth ulcers

For oral herpes, you can buy over-the-counter ointment at the pharmacy. If the treatment is to have a good effect, it should be started a few hours after the first symptoms (itching, tingling or pain). In the case of visible blisters, it is usually too late. Another option is prescription tablets that we can help with here at Recetas Medicas. These tablets prevent the virus from multiplying and should be taken no later than 24-72 hours after the first symptoms for the best effect, but the sooner the better.

The pain can also be alleviated by painkillers that can be bought without a prescription at the pharmacy. When the blisters have burst open, you can wash gently with lukewarm water and soap to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

In some individuals, cold sores recur regularly, sometimes several times a year. If you have problems more than 5 times a year, it may be worth considering prophylactic treatment to avoid outbreaks.

Are cold sores always herpes?

Sores around the mouth are not always herpes, but generally when you say mouth sores, you are referring to the herpes virus in particular. Cold sores often begin with blistering before breaking open into ulcers. Other causes of blisters around the mouth can be aphthous or aphthous ulcers. These blisters are painful, yellowish in color and often settle inside the mouth or around the lips. Canker sores are harmless and heal on their own. The cause of canker sores is not known but is often associated with a viral infection, such as a cold.

Other blisters in the mouth can be autumn blisters. Autumn blisters are most common in children under 10, but can also affect adults. The blisters are found inside the mouth, on the tongue and in the buccal mucosa. In addition to blisters in the mouth, you can also get blisters on the palms of your hands and on the soles of your feet.

Sores around the mouth can be due to impetigo (swine pox) which is caused by bacteria. Chickenpox is also more common in children than adults and causes a yellowish, sore rash.

If you have sores that are only in the corners of the mouth, i.e. where the upper and lower lips meet, it may be corner of the mouth sores. At the corner of the mouth, cracks form in the corner of the mouth that are red, sore and sometimes oozing. If you think you have been affected by it, you should contact your healthcare center as it may be due to an underlying vitamin or iron deficiency.

Is oral herpes hereditary?

Herpes is not hereditary. Herpes is a viral disease that is transmitted through contact with an infected area. The disease is therefore not hereditary like other genetic diseases, but you have to be infected by the virus to get it. However, different individuals may be more or less susceptible/sensitive to herpes outbreaks, which may be due to hereditary factors.

How do I get rid of cold sores fast?

If you start treatment with tablets, antivirals, you can shorten the time with symptoms or completely avoid outbreaks if you start immediately in connection with the first symptoms. At Recetas Medicas, you can have tablets prescribed to keep at home for preventive purposes in order to quickly start the treatment.

If you have visible blisters with sores, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and avoid picking at the blisters. Partly so that they can heal in peace, but also to avoid spreading the virus to another part of the body. In the case of oral herpes, you can use creams and plasters that can be bought without a prescription at the pharmacy.

Can oral herpes cause genital herpes?

Yes! Oral herpes, which is almost exclusively caused by herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1), can be transmitted to the genital area and there give rise to genital herpes. The spread usually occurs via oral sex when an infected area comes into contact with the area of ​​the vagina. The risk of infection is reduced if you use, for example, a condom or a tampon, but it does not disappear completely. Read more about genital herpes at Recetas Medicas/fakta-och-rad/herpes-i-underlivet

Can you have both oral herpes and genital herpes?

Yes, you can! Herpes simplex type 1 gives rise to both oral herpes and genital herpes, however, the area must be infected for you to get the symptoms. So you don't automatically get genital herpes if you get oral herpes, even if it's the same virus. Herpes simplex type 2 causes almost exclusively only genital herpes. Sometimes you can be unlucky enough to be infected by both viruses.

Can you go to the dentist with a mouth ulcer?

Yes, you can go to the dentist with a mouth ulcer. Dentists always use gloves and in the event of an outbreak, the dentist can help you diagnose your herpes as they are experts in the area in and around the mouth. If you have an ongoing outbreak of pain when you yawn or eat and are going to the dentist for a major procedure, you should possibly consider rescheduling the appointment for your own sake as it may mean unnecessary pain and suffering.

Can oral herpes be transmitted through glass?

It is very unusual for herpes to be transmitted through glass as the virus is very sensitive and dies quickly outside the body and on surfaces. Herpes spreads via direct contact with skin or mucous membranes and is therefore transmitted through close contact, kissing or sexual contact.

Is oral herpes always contagious?

Contagiousness is at its highest at the beginning of an outbreak and direct contact with skin or mucous membranes is required to become infected. There is a very low risk of being infected by objects as the herpes virus dies quickly outside the body and on surfaces. However, you should not take any risks, which is why you should avoid close contact with people with ongoing outbreaks.