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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

Now welcoming new patients

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


  • Best dentist in the area! We joined over 10 years ago and they cured my fear of the dentist! All staff are so friendly, everyone is so welcoming and always smiling! Andrew our dentist is brilliant, explains everything he’s doing, what he’s looking for and is so great with the children (my two actually love going to the dentist!) the nurse was also amazing, so lovely with the children and made us all feel at ease. We also had Sian as our hygienist today and she was so lovely, explained everything and made sure I was comfortable. Great experience, highly recommend😊

    Zoe Tennet - See Google Reviews

  • After my first visit today I can only say how pleased I am to have chosen El Nashar for my dental care. The staff who greeted me in reception were very welcoming and helpful and Chris was very thorough with my initial examination and explained everything in great detail to me. I really feel that I’m going to be very well looked after here and I’m looking forward to my next visit now to see the hygienist. Update…..I’ve now seen Terri my hygienist and she was amazing! Made me feel very relaxed and welcome. She explained my oral health results to me in great detail, answered any questions I had and informed me of how I can improve my oral hygiene myself with cleaning methods etc. I can’t rate my experience with Terri highly enough and I’m confident that I’m in the most competent and able hands with her for the coming years! Many thanks again to Terri and all the lovely staff at the practice.

    Andy Hayman - See Google Reviews

  • Mark Neil has been our family dentist for decades. Throughout this time his professionalism and expertise has managed to maintain our problematic teeth. His calm and confident manner has allayed any nervousness or anxiety. I can highly recommend him. The practice is exceptionally well run. Visits are always on time and emergencies dealt with immediately. The reception staff are always pleasant and friendly.

    Jennifer Webb - See Google Reviews


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