Conditions
Mouth Ulcers and Cold Sores
In Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle he describes in detail the mysterious substance called Ice 9 which with one touch to the lips will kill a person instantly. It seems possible that Vonnegut took inspiration from oral herpes because it’s caught in exactly the same way – but don’t panic; this virus is far from fatal. Oral herpes is the most common cause of cold sores, small, fluid filled lesions that usually develop around the mouth and often burn, itch and tingle, and mouth ulcers – which are found inside the mouth. Further ailments can sometimes include swollen gums, bad breath, dehydration, a sore throat and excess saliva. Cold sores, most commonly caused by the herpes simplex virus, are highly contagious. The cold sore causing virus is easily passed on via skin to mouth contact, such as kissing, or through a shared object like cutlery, a seemingly innocent lollipop or that pen lid you just can’t resist chewing – in other words catching the virus is often unavoidable. Notoriously Liza Minnelli and David Gest publicly argued for months in the media over who passed the virus on to who (yes that really happened). But don’t get to the end of this article and panic buy a crate of bleach – there’s really no need to start sanitising everything before getting your mouth around it. Whilst the herpes virus admittedly does stay in your body forever its impact is normally pretty minimal with most people just having the occasional cold sore ot mouth ulcer. There are numerous non-prescription treatments available for they do decide to strike, most commonly taking the form of a cream which can be applied to the affected area and clear the sores up in a couple of days – if only Liza and David would vanish as easily. If you are getting constant mouth ulcers you should see your GP in case there is an underlying condition at work.
Comments and Questions
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I am 24 and have always suffered from mouth ulscers! They are normally worse when I am due on my period and are big and really sore, I've tried most things for them From the doctors and even my dentist told me to try corsodill witch help take the pain away for a few minutes! I can't bring myself to put Bongela on as it stings uncontrollably. Is their anything else that can help?
I get very bad cold sores all over my nose that last about 2 weeks, i get about 1/2 weeks free and then they come back. My nose is now scared from all of these cold sores. what can i do?
hi both sides of my mouth are both cracked and very sore and flare up and it does not look nice i have been to the doctors tried fucidin h cream this does nothing and dif chemist bought things and even had lots of blood tests and nothing workd they are really sore when i eat can you help please ps i have had this prob for over a year but its got worse
my 6 year old daughter suffers bad with mouth ulcers she has them every single week please can anyone help why she would have them all the time
my 6 year old daughter suffers bad with mouth ulcers she has them every single week please can anyone help why she would have them all the time
Hi. I've recently been diagnosed with hypothyroid and have started taking eltroxin. Some side effects-nausea, delayed menstruation, hives( hives have since gone) but recently got a painless mouth blister. I accidentally bit it and it bled for ages-now has turned white. Is this another side effect? Will salt water get rid of it? Any advise? Never had one before.
if u have cracked lips, and perform oral sex on ur female partner, can this cause any problems, (ie), thrush. or can the cracked lips bring on any underlying medical conditions?
Hi, I'm 14 and I have 3 big ulcers and 3 small ulcers, I also have swollen taste buds I think? And quite a bit of pain in my lower jaw and tongue, does anyone have any help/advise for getting rid of them and why they are there, thank you
me and my partner both have mouth ulcers in the same place and we get them round the same time after sex, is this ok?
Hi I'm 22 and I constantly get clusters of coldsores up each nostrils, up to the top of the nostrils and on the skin outside. I must get this once every 3 to 4 months. Is there anything to use or take besides zovirax??? Please help
Hi am a 43 yr old Lady and have suffered with constant mouth ulcers for the last 7 years. I really cant remember a break when I have not got any in my mouth. I have been doctors and a trip to the hopital to see a speacilist but feel like I have just been brushed off as they dont know why I have them. Why am I getting these constantly? Please help.
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