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Suggest Remedies For Recurring And Constant Cold Sores In Mouth

Posted on Wed, 15 Jun 2016

Question: my son is 64 and has had a life long problem with cold sores in his mouth. He can barely talk. They come on every month or so. I had the same problem until about his age, but now, at age 88 I have not had them for years. Isn't there a permanent cure now available for this nuisance sore.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Upload image

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

If possible, kindly upload a good quality image of the area involving the sore/ sores. If you want me to answer without the help of an image then kindly let me know to do so accordingly.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (13 hours later)

Answer without image

what I really wish to know:
has a permanent cure been developed by science for these sores that appear in one's mouth periodically, stay a few days, go away and come back again in a few weeks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (33 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus type one that spread by contact or body fluids. Sunlight, fever, stress can trigger it some people gets it twice a year for some it can be a monthly ritual and exist for a week. it never gets cured it remains dormant in body. There is no cure to it but there are medication that can help shortened the duration and misery. Antivirals cream and oral both can decrease the duration.
Cold sores usually apear on the lips
Canker sores appear in the mouth they are not caused by herpes simplex virus etiology is not known unlike cold sores they are not contagious, all the research done the best explanation is some type of allergic reaction, the immune system get confused and damages the normal mucosa of the mouth. They are diagnosed on the basis of appearance location and multiple episodes. As there is problem with immune system medication are used to suppress it like cortisone they significantly decrease the healing time. To the question that can it be cured is NO it can be controlled and the frequency can be decreased.

Hope it helps
Thanks.

Dr M.S Khalil

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar