cold sores

• Cold sore development

  1. prodromal phase- Tingling, irritation in the skin, (6-24hrs) before appearance of symptoms

  2. Minute blisters on top of red/ inflamed skin develop

  3. Blisters grow and fill with white matter

  4. Blisters break down to reveal a raw area underneath

  5. Crusting occurs within 4 days

  6. Lesions heal within 1 week
• Cause of cold sores?

  Herpes simplex virus (HSV1)
• Referral for cold sores

  • Babies/ young children
  • Painless lesions (suspect cancerous)
  • Sore lasting longer than 2 weeks
  • Eye affected (suspect shingles)
  • Immunocompromised patient
• cold sore treatment

  aciclovir (Zovirax)

  1.Apply FIVE times a day

  2. Most effective if started in the prodromal phase
• cold sore counselling?

  
  

  • Wash hands between applications of treatment to avoid contamination
  • Cold sores are contagious - avoid kissing/ direct contact to the infected area
• Cold-sores


  Diagnosis?