Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors For Cold Sores

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can lead to the development of cold sores if patients are prone to them. If individuals don't have the cold sore virus in their body, chemotherapy will not infect them with it. But they might notice symptoms similar to cold sores because of how chemotherapy can lead to the development of mouth sores. Cancer-related sores form on the lips or inside the mouth. In the worst scenarios, they might look like burns and feel extremely painful. Some individuals might have trouble talking, eating, swallowing, and breathing. The main reasoning for the cold sore and general sore development is that chemotherapy inhibits and kills many white blood cells, which are necessary for fighting infection. During chemotherapy, cells throughout the entire body become damaged, including inside the mouth. Individuals might experience rawness, tenderness, bleeding, or painful open wounds as a result. Because the immune system is compromised, patients are more susceptible to viral and bacterial attacks. Individuals might develop several cold sores at once. Open sores can be dangerous for cancer patients, since a compromised immune system can't fight fungi, bacteria, and viruses that infect the damaged tissue.

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