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Cold Sores

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are the consequence of a viral infection, normally in childhood. They usually appear on the lips and nostrils but can be more widespread.

How do you catch cold sores?

You can catch cold sores by:

  • Directly touching a cold sore
  • Kissing someone with a cold sore
  • Sharing household objects such as towels, cups and cutlery

What Are The Symptoms?

  • The first signs are usually tingling, burning or itching.
  • Within 24 hours painful blisters form. Blisters breakdown into shallow ulcers after a few days.
  • Cold sores are infectious from the early tingling stage up to the end of the ulcer phase.

Healing is normally complete in 10 to 14 days. In children cold sores can become infected with bacteria and develop impetigo.


Why do they keep coming back?

After the first infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerve that supplies the infected area.

The virus can be reactivated at any time and cause another cold sore.

Various trigger factors are:

  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Strong sunlight
  • UV light from sun beds
  • Menstruation or pregnancy
  • Generally when feeling run-down

Our Advice

If you have a cold sore, wash your hands thoroughly if you accidentally touch it.

Do not:

  • Touch the cold Sore
  • Touch your eyes during the infection
  • Kiss (especially children) when you have the infection
  • Pick the ulcers or the scab. You will infect your fingers with the virus
  • Share eating/drinking utensils with others, especially children
  • Share the same towels or face cloths with others in your family
  • Consider rescheduling your dental appointment when a cold sore is present if non urgent as it may cause discomfort during treatment

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Please get in touch with our friendly team on 01626 212121

Why Choose Us?

Because we are a family run practice with patient care at the heart of everything we do.

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What Our Patients Say About Us


  • El Nashar Dental Care offers exceptional service from start to finish! The team is incredibly welcoming, and the professionalism of the staff truly sets them apart. The staff are highly skilled, attentive, and take the time to explain every step of the treatment, making you feel at ease. The clinic is modern, spotless, and equipped with the latest technology, ensuring a comfortable and pain-free experience. I couldn’t be happier with the results and would highly recommend El Nashar Dental Care to anyone looking for top-notch dental care. They genuinely care about their patients and go above and beyond to provide outstanding service!

    Chris Moore - See Google Reviews

  • I have nothing but praise for the El Nashar Dental practice. The whole team are very professional and friendly. Jo has done a fair amount of work over the years for me, and everything has been to an excellent standard. She takes a long term approach to my dental needs and I have full confidence in her work. As an anxious patient, Jo and her assistant, Mary are both also really caring and empathetic which is really important to me as I find any dental procedures quite stressful! Thank you.

    Philippa Oldrieve - See Google Reviews

  • I cannot speak highly enough of this wonderful dental practice. The staff are efficient, reassuring and highly skilled and the treatment I have received over many years has always been exemplary. Recently I had to have more complicated treatment which evolved a tricky extraction. Whilst I have never been nervous about dental procedures I was a bit anxious about this. I was signposted to the sedation process, which was absolutely wonderful. For any nervous patient they can be guaranteed a relaxed treatment with absolutely no discomfort or anxiety. I feel so fortunate to have been treated by these marvellous professionals who have also helped to ensure that I still have my own teeth at the age of 76! Many many thanks to you all

    liz deane - See Google Reviews


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