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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Cold Sores
Question: I haven't had a cold sore in years. this spring I had 2 back to back. I treated it with acyclovir pills and cream. they healed quickly but I now have a bright red spot where they were...both basically in the same spot. it can get very red and almost looks like I have one at times. is there a way to heal the skin and get its natural pigment back such as vitamin e cream or pills or any other ideas? will it heal itself in time? been a month since the last one healed. attached is a pic that doesn't do it justice but will give you an idea of what it looks like...thank you
Brief Answer:
They occur when the immunity drops.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and have checked the attached image. Let me mention that cold sores usually occur due to herpes virus (usually HSV-1). Once infected, the virus persists in the nerve endings for life and hence flare ups can occur from time to time, especially when your immunity drops due to any reason. It is perhaps meaningless to take acyclovir everytime. You need to wait and it would spontaneously resolve gradually. I understand that it is taking a significant time but all you need to do is to wait.
Be sure to have a healthy lifestyle. Take plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables since they contain antioxidants and hence should help in boosting the immunity. Exercise daily. Avoid smoking and drinking.
Regards
They occur when the immunity drops.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and have checked the attached image. Let me mention that cold sores usually occur due to herpes virus (usually HSV-1). Once infected, the virus persists in the nerve endings for life and hence flare ups can occur from time to time, especially when your immunity drops due to any reason. It is perhaps meaningless to take acyclovir everytime. You need to wait and it would spontaneously resolve gradually. I understand that it is taking a significant time but all you need to do is to wait.
Be sure to have a healthy lifestyle. Take plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables since they contain antioxidants and hence should help in boosting the immunity. Exercise daily. Avoid smoking and drinking.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Brief Answer:
The skin will gradually come to a near-normal state.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand what you are talking about. Unfortunately, when scarring and healing occurs, the new tissue is not the same as the older one and hence do not have the properties of the original skin. Hence it would not regain the same color. Since it is thin, the redness underneath is visible.
However, the face has very rich blood supply and gradually the color would improve to a near normal state. Vitamins and creams would not help and neither would any medication.
Regards
The skin will gradually come to a near-normal state.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. I understand what you are talking about. Unfortunately, when scarring and healing occurs, the new tissue is not the same as the older one and hence do not have the properties of the original skin. Hence it would not regain the same color. Since it is thin, the redness underneath is visible.
However, the face has very rich blood supply and gradually the color would improve to a near normal state. Vitamins and creams would not help and neither would any medication.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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