A very common alteration on the lips is herpes simplex type 1, also called fever blisters, since according to estimates by the World Health Organization 67% of the population under 50 years of age has this disease. This infection is characterized by the manifestation on the lips of small reddish blisters filled with fluid that can hurt a little and cause itching, they are also known as cold sores and there may be a single sore or several of them forming small bunches.
On the other hand, a very common mistake is to confuse them with ulcers that are produced by a similar alteration and known as canker sores; However, they are different conditions, since canker sores only occur inside the mouth and are not contagious, while herpes simplex is easily transmitted and can spread to other parts of the body, especially inside the mouth and In the eyes. But if your question is why fires appear on the lips , we invite you to read the information in the following FastlyHealarticle.
Table of Contents
Stages of lip fire
First of all, we explain what the cycle of lip fires is :
- The first stage of cold sore is the one that involves symptoms one or two days prior to its appearance, in which the person may have the sensation of itching , tingling or burning in the part of the lips where the sore and a hard and painful spot begins to be noticed in that same place.
- Later, the second stage consists of the development of the blisters as such, so that the person already perceives these ulcers filled with fluid in some part of the lips, the edge of the lips or in the corners, although it can also appear around of the nose or cheeks.
- In the final stage, the labial sores can join and explode, causing open sores to be observed in the affected area from which liquid comes out to finally begin the healing process and the scab to form.
The duration of all stages can vary depending on why the sores appeared on the lips, whether it is the first outbreak or a reappearance, although in general it can take several days and two to four weeks for any trace of the sores to completely disappear as it does not usually leave scars or other marks. Here we explain the causes of the appearance of cold sores.
Why do fires come out on the lips
Sores on the lips are caused by the presence of the Herpes simplex virus , which is classified as type 1 or HSV-1, being the one that generally causes these blisters on the lips, and type 2 or HSV-2, which is more associated with genital herpes. However, both herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 can cause sores on the lips.
Cold sores are highly contagious , especially when blisters occur and ooze, but it can still be transmitted without them being present. The virus is acquired through direct contact with the sore or fluids of an infected person, so if you share the same toothbrush, razor, towels, cutlery, glasses or kiss a person with herpes simplex it is likely that becomes infected and fires appear on your lips at some point in your life. It can also be transmitted by doing oral sex to a person with herpes on the genitals.
On the other hand, some people may have acquired this virus in their body and not realize it, since in many cases they usually do not present signs or symptoms of it. For this reason, when it manifests, it is common for them to wonder why fires appear on the lips.
Once acquired, the herpes simplex virus never disappears from the body , but remains inactive and under certain circumstances it can manifest itself with the already known cold sores. Factors that can activate the virus and cause fires on the lips include having a low immune system, a viral infection, having a fever, suffering from hormonal changes such as menstruation, being under a lot of stress and being continuously exposed to the sunlight and wind.
Treatment for fires on the lips
As soon as the Herpes simplex virus is acquired, whether fires appear on the lips or not, there is no treatment that can eliminate it from the body. However, outbreaks of cold sores disappear on their own in a couple of weeks and do not usually represent a condition that generates serious health problems for the affected person, but it is easier for the infection to spread to others parts of the body such as the eyes or infect other people if you are not careful.
Despite this, there are some methods that help the sores heal faster or that do not appear very often, such as the use of antiviral medications that your doctor may prescribe if you continually suffer from these outbreaks. Creams can also be applied to the blisters to reduce discomfort and speed healing, or take analgesic drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain. Also, placing a cold pack or ice wrapped in cloth on the affected area can help reduce redness, promote healing, and remove any remaining scabs.
In addition, during an episode of cold sores it is important to always maintain good hand hygiene and never touch the ulcers, as it can delay recovery and increase the risk of infecting other parts and people. Does cold sore have a definitive cure ? In the following FastlyHealarticle we will explain it to you.
Can cold sores be prevented?
You can avoid acquiring the Herpes simplex virus by following certain precautions, including:
- Do not kiss someone who has blisters on their lips or who you know has herpes simplex.
- Do not share cutlery, food or any object that has been in contact with the mouth or fluids of an infected person without having been properly cleaned.
- Avoid direct contact with the sores or the fluid that comes out of them.
- In the event that the virus is already in the body, the best way to prevent cold sore outbreaks is to avoid the factors that can trigger it, for which the following tips can be followed:
- Reduce stress by practicing some relaxing activity.
- Get enough rest.
- Avoid spending a lot of time in the sun and use sunscreen on the part of the lips where the sores usually appear.
- Apply moisturizing cream on the lips.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do fires appear on the lips , we recommend that you enter our category of Teeth and mouth .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.