Cold sore treatment in Saratoga Springs

Lots of people get a cold sore once in a while and never think much about it. Others get them so often that they plan their lives around them. A visit can make sense if any of these sound like you:

• You get several cold sores a year
• Your sores are large, slow to heal or very sore
• Store-bought creams have not done much for you
• A sore tends to pop up before a big event, a trip or a stressful week
• Sun, a cold or a rough stretch of sleep seems to set one off

Your dentist will look at the area, ask how often sores appear and what seems to trigger them, and check your health history. From there, you will talk about whether medicine makes sense and how to use it.

• Keep your hands off the sore, and wash them if you touch it
• Skip kissing and sharing cups, forks or lip balm until the sore fully heals
• Use a lip balm with sunscreen when you spend time outside
• When you feel worn out, give yourself extra sleep and downtime
• Toss a toothbrush you used during a flare once the sore clears up

If a sore spreads near your eye or you get them all the time, tell your dentist or your doctor.