Cold sores, also known as fever blisters can occur anywhere in an individual’s body. The painful blisters arise from a virus infection and they aren’t caused by cold that makes you sneeze and sniffle, although it may act as a trigger. Cold sores commonly develop on nose, fingers, cheeks, and outside the mouth or on the lips. However, they can also develop inside the mouth for example, under the tongue. Cold sores are very contagious and a person who has them should observe proper hygiene and refrain from habits that could increase the chances of spreading the virus to other people. For example, a person should stop sharing personal items like utensils, towels, and the like. They should regularly wash their hands to prevent cross-contaminating surfaces with the virus that can be picked by other people.

Who Develops Cold Sores

Anyone can develop cold sores, and it’s estimated that 90 percent of persons have cold sore at some point in life. When you first get cold sores, the symptoms are severe. Some kids who have the infection may get seriously ill. When you first have cold sores, the body can develop antibodies and you might never have the infection again. However, about 40 percent of adults in America have repeated cold sores. Although fever blisters are not serious, if a person has other diseases or a weakened immunity, the cold sore infection could be life-threatening.

For instance, people with AIDS can have serious and potentially lethal cold sore infections because the body cannot properly fight against the virus. If the infection spreads to body parts like the gums, brain, eyes and other areas, it can result in serious complications. In the eyes, cold sores can lead to vision problems and in brain, they can contribute to encephalitis or meningitis. In the mouth or under the tongue, cold sores can result in severe pain and gum damage.

Causes of Cold Sores Under The Tongue

Unlike cancer sores, cold sores are as a result of a virus. There are two kinds of herpes simplex virus that contribute to cold sores namely; herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or HSV type 2. In most cases, HSV type 1 is the culprit for cold sores and a person gets the infection when they come into contact with individuals or things carrying the virus. A person can get the virus from kissing someone infected or sharing eating utensils, razors, towels and other items.

HVS type 2 is commonly the cause of genital herpes. Both types can be spread through oral sex. After you are in contact with the virus, it can take up to 20 days before cold sores develop. When the virus gets into a person’s body, cold sores may form near the location or part where it entered. The area of entry of the virus into the body may feel itchy and sensitive about two days before the sores develop.

Cold sores under tongue can be triggered by:

• Stress
• Allergies
• Cold and flu
• Eating certain foods
• Medications that weaken the immunity
• Sunburns
• Fever
• Menstruation

 Symptoms of Cold Sores

 When the blisters develop, they break and ooze. After that, a yellow crust forms and later falls off to leave a new skin underneath. Cold sores last for about 7 to 10 days before they have formed the crust completely and they can spread from one person to another.  Some of the symptoms associated with cold sores are:

• Fluid-filled blisters that are red, burning, painful, or itching appearing under the tongue or other areas like the fingers, lips, and mouth
• Having, swollen gums that are sensitive and of deep red color
• Experiencing flu-like symptoms and fever
• Swollen lymph nodes occurring in the neck, especially when an individual first gets the virus. Recurrent sores don’t usually show these symptoms.
• Itching and tingling sensation in the area where a previous outbreak had occurred
• In the mouth, cold sores can make eating to be difficult, often being painful when you take acidic or spicy foods.
  

Diagnosing Cold Sores

 A doctor can detect if it is a cold sore by examining it or taking a culture from it. A blood test can be done to find out the antibodies to the virus. However, a positive test for antibodies only shows that you have HSV in your blood, but it may not indicate whether the virus is active or not.

Treating Cold Sores Under Tongue

 There isn’t cure for HSV or cold sores, however, you can manage the symptoms like pain by refraining from taking spicy or acidic foods and using OTC remedies. You can numb pain by applying ice. Pain relievers like acetaminophen can also help with pain that stings. You may want to look for medicines containing numbing agents like menthol or phenol to reduce cracking and help soften the scabs or crusts. An over-the-counter topical cream known as Abreva helps speed up the healing and reduces pain associated with cold sores. The cream should be used several times a day to help speed up the healing.

An anesthetic gel may be prescribed by a doctor if the cold sores are very painful or they are irritating. An antiviral oral medication may also be prescribed to speed healing and prevent recurrence of the cold sores.

Some of the antiviral medications used to treat cold sores are:

• acyclovir (Zovirax)
• valacyclovir (Valtrex)
• famciclovir (Famvir)

The antiviral medicines for cold sores are more effective if an individual starts taking them at least within the first 48 hours following the outbreak of the sores. Although valacyclovir may be more expensive, it is easily absorbed within the digestive tract hence more reliable to treat cold sores. Topical forms of antiviral medicines that may be used in treatment of cold sores are penciclovir (Denavir) and acyclovir (Zovirax).

In the mouth, cold sores can be worsened by bacterial infections; it is crucial to ensure you clean the tongue gently and rinse properly using antibacterial mouthwash.

In essence, oral antiviral medicines may be more beneficial in treating cold sores that are forming under the tongue. Topical creams are intended to be used for external applications like on the skin or lips. However, when you have the sores developing inside the mouth, oral antivirals are deemed more effective and safer.

People who have cold sores developing under the tongue should refrain from touching them. When you pick them, they can be spread to other areas of the body making the outbreak to worsen. You should keep the hands off the mouth and make sure you wash them as often as possible using soap and water. Avoid touching your face and other areas.