Medication
- Numb the pain: Over-the-counter pain reliever creams such as lidocaine and benzocaine can numb the burning and ease the discomfort. ...
- Moisturize: Keep your lip and mouth area moisturized to prevent the sore from drying out and peeling, Dr. ...
- Cool it: Using a simple cold compress, like ice or a cold, wet rag, can help reduce pain and redness.
Self-care
The 7 Best Cold Sore Remedies
- Lemon balm. The antiviral properties of lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, may help reduce the redness and swelling associated with a blister or protect against future infections ...
- Over-the-counter antiviral medications. Products containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol can be helpful in reducing the duration of the cold sore.
- Ice. ...
Nutrition
Aloe vera gel is widely available and can be grown as a houseplant. While research connecting the plant to cold sores is limited, studies have found that applying it topically can aid in soothing the skin when a cold sore breaks out. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can be helpful.
What is the most effective treatment for a cold sore?
These remedies might help you feel better:
- Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ...
- Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.
- Soothe a sore throat. ...
- Combat stuffiness. ...
- Relieve pain. ...
- Sip warm liquids. ...
- Try honey. ...
- Add moisture to the air. ...
- Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications. ...
What is the best natural remedy for cold sores?
What's the best thing to put on an open cold sore?
How to cure a cold without over the counter medicine?
What gets rid of cold sores the fastest?
There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir....1. Try home remedies.Cold, damp washcloth.Ice or cold compress.Petroleum jelly.Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Is there a way to get rid of a cold sore overnight?
Unfortunately, nothing can clear up a cold sore overnight — but some medications and treatments can shorten the life span of a cold sore and make you feel better, too.
Is Carmex good for cold sores?
Carmex® Multi-Symptom Cold Sore Treatment contains benzocaine, an FDA-approved pain relief ingredient, which helps temporarily relieve pain and itch associated with cold sores and fever blisters.
What triggers a cold sore?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once this virus is in you, it can cause outbreaks of cold sores. Cold sore outbreaks are often triggered by exposure to hot sun, cold wind, a cold or other illness, a weak immune system, changing hormone levels, or even stress.
Are cold sore outbreaks completely random?
No. Usually you will experience an outbreak if you have a weakened immune system, you’re experiencing high levels of stress, or you’re eating certa...
If I have a cold sore, does that mean I have an STD?
No, not necessarily. Cold sores can be spread through means other than sexual contact. However, it’s possible for them to be spread through oral se...
Will cold sores leave scars on my lips?
No. If left untreated, a cold sore will go away within two to four weeks. After it disappears, your lip will return to how it normally looks.
Use The Best Over The Counter Cold Sore Medicine
Cold sores go through stages. They begin with noticeable symptoms, which is when you can start using most over-the-counter creams. The next stages,...
What’S The Best Otc Cold Sore Medicine?
No two cold sore creams or devices are equal. Here, you’ll find some of the best products on the market for soothing and healing cold sores. Not on...
Benefits of Over-The-Counter Creams & Gels
You can expect the use of OTC treatments to achieve the following: 1. Speed up the healing time by up to 75% 2. Reduce pain and discomfort 3. Preve...
Otc Cold Sore Medicine vs. Prescription Medication
People who suffer from cold sores frequently may seek out a prescription medication. Some are stronger in their dosage. That can be helpful for peo...
What Are The Possible Side Effects?
Side effects that occur due to the use of topical cold sore treatments are rare. Most antiviral meds are safe for people on other prescription medi...
Natural Ways to Treat Cold Sores
The best part about a natural treatment option is that there are very few side effects. Some of the most popular treatment options include: 1. Zinc...
How to Prevent Cold Sores
Unfortunately, once the herpes simplex virus is in your system, you have it for life. There is no way to cure cold sores. Each time you experience...
How to get rid of a cold sore?
Reduce pain and discomfort. Prevent cold sore from spreading. Reducing the time it takes for a cold sore is what most people want. Getting rid of pain is essential, but many people want to remove the visual symptoms, too. Even the top-rated treatments may not be able to heal a cold sore overnight fully.
How long does it take to heal a cold sore?
That will help to alleviate pain and discomfort, putting you on the pathway to a faster recovery (in as little as 2 to 4 days). Cold sores go through stages. They begin with almost unnoticeable symptoms, which is when you should start using over-the-counter creams.
What happens if you get a cold sore?
The next stages, however, are usually when we seek out the top treatment for cold sores because the pain and embarrassment become too much. A cold sore will form like a blister. In a few days, that blister will burst. After it bursts, it will begin to scab or crust over, which is likely to be the most painful stage.
What to do when a blister bursts open?
Moisturizing and healing ingredients are essential when the blister has burst open and become exposed. The sooner you start treatment (as soon as you spot the symptoms), the better. This will help to reduce the impact and intensity as the cold sores progress.
Why do you put a battery over a cold sore?
When you place the battery-powered device over the cold sore, it will stimulate your immune system to focus on that particular spot. This helps your body to speed up the healing process and reduce pain naturally. This is technology that has been used by medical professionals for years.
Can cold sores go away on their own?
Cold sores are painful and unsightly. While they will go away on their own, most of us seek out the best over-the-counter cold sore medicine. This will help in getting rid of a cold sore fast, and with much less pain. When you can recognize the symptoms, you can start a treatment plan right away. Some over-the-counter (OTC) meds work well.
Can you take antiviral medicine with cold sores?
Side effects that occur due to the use of topical cold sore treatments are rare. Most antiviral meds are safe for people on other prescription medicines, and also for women who are pregnant. The most common side effects occur due to allergic reactions.
What is the best medicine for cold sores?
Over-the-counter antiviral medications. Products containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol can be helpful in reducing the duration of the cold sore. Lysine is available as an oral supplement and a cream that, according to older research. , may be helpful in reducing the duration of outbreaks.
How to get rid of cold sores?
Ice may not reduce the duration of a breakout, but it can ease the discomfort and inflammation of cold sores. Apply a cold pack directly to the sores for temporary relief.
How to protect lips from cold sores?
Sunscreen not only protects your lips while the cold sore is healing, but it can also reduce future outbreaks when worn daily on the lips. Look for at least SPF 30, and apply it whenever you expect to be in the sun. Shop for sunscreen online. 6. Stress reduction.
How long does it take for a cold sore to go away?
Cold sores will you usually go away on their own after a few days , but there are several prescription treatments that can help speed up that healing time. If you experience several outbreaks a year, you can even take oral antiviral medication all year round to prevent outbreaks altogether.
What is the best medication for a syphilis?
If you experience several outbreaks a year, you can even take oral antiviral medication all year round to prevent outbreaks altogether. These treatments include: 1 acyclovir (Zovirax) 2 valacyclovir ( Valtrex) 3 famciclovir (Famvir) 4 penciclovir (Denavir)
What is the best treatment for a blister?
1. Lemon balm. The antiviral properties of lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, may help reduce the redness and swelling associated with a blister or protect against future infections — at least according to some older research. Use a lip balm with at least 1 percent lemon balm.
How long does a cold sore last?
They can break open, ooze, and crust over, lasting for around 7 to 10 days. Those 7 to 10 days can be brutal, but you may find comfort in home remedies and natural treatments. About 90 percent of adults across the globe ...
What is the best medicine for cold sores?
Although study results have been mixed, alternative medicine treatments for cold sores include: Lysine. An amino acid, lysine is available as an oral supplement and as a cream. Rhubarb and sage. A cream combining rhubarb and sage may be about as effective as acyclovir (Zovirax) cream. Stress reduction.
How to treat a cold sore on the inside of your body?
Use a cotton-tipped swab to put medicine on a cold sore. This helps prevent the spread of the sores to other parts of your body. To ease the discomfort of a cold sore: Try other cold sore remedies. Some over-the-counter preparations contain a drying agent, such as alcohol, that may speed healing. Use lip balms and cream.
How to treat a cold sore with Abreva?
At the first sign of symptoms, apply it to the affected skin as directed on the package. Use a cotton-tipped swab to put medicine on a cold sore. This helps prevent the spread of the sores to other parts of your body.
What to do for cold sores?
If your cold sores are triggered by stress, you might want to try relaxation techniques, such as lemon balm extract, deep-breathing exercises and meditation. Propolis. Also known as synthetic beeswax, this is available as a 3% ointment. When applied early and often, it might shorten the duration of the breakout.
How to diagnose cold sores?
To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor might take a sample from the blister for testing in a laboratory.
What are some examples of antiviral medications?
Several types of prescription antiviral medications may speed the healing process. Examples include: .Acyclovir (Zovirax) Valacyclovir (Valtrex) Famciclovir. Penciclovir (Denavir) Some of these products are packaged as pills to be swallowed. Others are creams to be applied to the sores several times a day.
How to get rid of blisters on a swollen thigh?
Or try a warm compress to the blisters to ease pain. Rest and try pain relievers. Take over-the-counter pain relievers if you have a fever or the cold sore is painful. Creams with lidocaine or benzocaine may offer some pain relief.
What are the symptoms of a cold sore?
Most people with oral HSV-1 often don’t experience symptoms. In fact, many people don’t even know they are infected.
Over-the-counter cold sore treatments
A number of creams and ointments are available over-the-counter (OTC) to treat cold sores. They have been shown to help reduce symptoms and recovery time of cold sores when used as directed.
Prescription cold sore medications
In addition to OTC cold sore treatments, prescription medications are also available. Since a cold sore is caused by a virus, an antiviral can be prescribed when needed.
Can you prevent a cold sore?
Cold sores can be transmitted by mouth-to-mouth contact. A cold sore is the most contagious when a person has an active cold sore. One way to prevent a cold sore is to avoid oral contact or kissing a person who currently has a cold sore.
The bottom line
Cold sores are a symptom of a viral infection called HSV-1. Most people first experience cold sores at an early age and then several times throughout their life. While there are many treatment options available, how soon you begin treatment is the most important factor in determining how effective it will be.