• Facebook
  • Instagram
Call Today: (847) 234-1177
Northshore Dermatology
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Tina C. Venetos, MD
    • Amy C. Brownlee, MS, PA-C
    • Sarah Lupa, PA-C
  • Our Services
    • Medical Procedures
      • General Dermatology
      • Surgical Dermatology
      • Pediatric Dermatology
    • Cosmetic Procedures
      • Allumera
      • CoolSculpting®
      • Chemical Peels
      • Dermaplaning
      • Eclipse PRP
      • EMSCULPT®
      • HydraFacial MD
      • Laser Genesis
      • Laser Hair Removal
        • Icon by Cynosure
        • xeo® by Cutera
      • MiraDry
      • NeoGraft
      • Pearl Laser
      • PicoSure Laser
      • SkinPen®
      • Skin Resurfacing (Stretch Marks/Scars)
        • Icon by Cynosure
        • Sellas Laser
      • Pigmented and Vascular lesions
        • Skin Revitalization by Cynosure
        • Limelight by Cutera
      • Titan Laser
      • Ultherapy®
      • Vein Therapy
      • ThermiVa
      • ThermiSmoothface
    • Injectables
      • Fillers
        • Bellafill®
        • Juvederm®
        • Restylane
        • Restylane Lyft
        • Restylane Silk
        • Volbella®
      • Neurotoxins
        • Botox® Cosmetic
        • Dysport®
      • KYBELLA®
  • Skin Care Products
    • Arnika Forte™
    • Colorscience®
    • Clarisonic
    • Elta MD
    • ISDIN Products
    • Latisse®
    • NEOCUTIS Products
    • Nutrafol
    • Obagi Products
    • Revision Skin Care
    • ReFissa®
    • Senté®
    • SkinCeuticals
    • Skinbetter Science
    • Stratpharma Products
    • Viviscal
  • Patient Resources
    • Care Credit
    • Insurance
    • Online Bill Pay
  • Contact Us
  • Shop Online
    • Shop Northshore Derm
    • Shop SkinMedica

Cold sores / Herpes Simplex Virus

You are here: Home / Services we provide / Medical Procedures / General Dermatology / Cold sores / Herpes Simplex Virus

Cold sores may also be known as fever blisters, are among the most common oral lesions, occurring on the lips or around the mouth. These sores, which are often painful, are caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Cold sores are usually caused by HSV-1, while HSV-2 is usually the cause of genital herpes. This virus may also cause other symptoms including fever, sore throat and swollen glands. Cold sores are normally diagnosed through physical examination alone, unless the physician suspects another variety of lesion.

Cold sores are highly contagious. Usually, the herpes virus affects the body when infected fluid enters a break in the skin. This typically happens through saliva contact, either through kissing or the use of shared eating utensils. Once an individual is infected, the virus can spread to other parts of the body. It is also possible for a person to have the herpes virus without visible cold sores.

There is no cure for cold sores, but they frequently go away after a few days without treatment. If a cold sore opens, lymph, a clear fluid, may drain from it. The cold sore will then typically form a scab. The cold sore scab normally heals within a few days to 2 weeks. Once an individual has contracted the virus, however it remains in the body and may precipitate subsequent outbreaks.

Outbreaks of cold sores tend to happen with sun exposure, a weakened immune system due to stress or illness, or during menstruation. Oral medications can hasten healing and decrease viral shedding even in asymptomatic infected individuals and topical therapies can be helpful to help with healing and lessen pain.

  • Cosmetic Procedures
    • Allumera
    • Chemical Peels
      • Theraplex® Salicylic Acid Facial Peels
      • VI Peel
    • CoolSculpting
    • Dermaplaning
    • EMSCULPT Non-Invasive Fat Removal & Muscle Toning
    • HydraFacial MD
    • Laser Genesis
    • Laser Hair Removal
    • Limelight (IPL / Photofacial)
    • MiraDry
    • NeoGraft
    • Pearl Laser
    • PicoSure Laser
    • Sellas Laser
    • Skin Renewal, Scar Removal & Stretch Mark Treatment: 1540
    • Skin Revitalization
    • SkinPen®
    • Titan Laser
    • Ultherapy®
    • Vein Therapy
  • Injectables
    • Fillers
      • Bellafill®
      • Juvederm®
      • Restylane
      • Restylane Lyft
      • Restylane Silk
      • Volbella®
    • KYBELLA®
    • Neurotoxins
      • Botox® Cosmetic
      • Dysport®
  • Medical Procedures
    • General Dermatology
      • Acne
      • Acne Scar Treatment
      • Actinic Keratosis
      • Atopic Dermatitis & Eczema
      • Cold sores / Herpes Simplex Virus
      • Cysts
      • Dry Skin
      • Folliculitis
      • Fungal Infections of the Skin
      • Hair Loss
      • Hives (Urticaria)
      • Hyperhidrosis
      • Keratosis Pilaris (KP)
      • Melasma
      • Mohs Surgery
      • Moles (Nevus / Nevi)
      • Psoriasis
      • Rosacea
      • Scabies
      • Seborrheic Dermatitis
      • Seborrheic Keratoses
      • Shingles / Herpes Zoster
      • Vitiligo
      • Warts
    • Pediatric Dermatology
      • Molluscum
    • Surgical Dermatology
      • Skin Cancer
        • Basal Cell Carcinoma
        • Melanoma
        • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Request A Consultation

Contact Us

Phone: (847) 234-1177
Fax Number: (847) 234-1875
 

Business Hours

Mon: 9:30am to 7:00pm
Tues: 9:00am to 5:30pm
Wed: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Thu-Fri: 9:30am to 5:00pm
Sat: 10:00am to 1:00pm

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Services we provide
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Connect With Us

Locate Us

© Northshore Dermatoplogy | Website and Marketing Powered by Advice Media
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • About Us
  • Services we provide
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Scroll to top