You may need a prescription treatment. Cold sores look like blisters that appear around the mouth or on the lips. They can break open, ooze, and crust over. Flare-ups can occur at any time….
There are five different stages of a cold sore. The first stage starts about 24 hours before the blister appears. The blister appears in stage 2…. Cold sores are red, fluid-filled blisters that usually form near your mouth or other areas of your face. There's no cure for cold sores and they may…. Without treatment, fever blisters can last up to four weeks.
After treatment, you…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. This involves having the right medications on hand so they can be used at the earliest sign of a sore. People who are prone to cold sores should also get to know what triggers them to help reduce the number of outbreaks.
Finally, because cold sores are highly contagious, it is crucial to know how to avoid spreading them to others. Though cold sores cannot be avoided all the time, people should always try to treat them as soon as they can. Most people who get cold sores report that they can feel one coming before it appears on their skin. So, people who have them should watch for signs that a cold sore may be developing. Tingling, burning, or itching may be felt around the lips for several hours or a day before the cold sore appears.
This is the best time to begin treating the cold sore. People who frequently get cold sores may want to have the appropriate medications on hand so that they can begin using them at the earliest possible stage. The medicines that have been proven to work on cold sores are called antivirals, and they work to stop a virus from replicating. This, in turn, can stop the cold sore from developing or may reduce its size and healing time. Antiviral medications are only available with a prescription.
Cold sore antivirals come in two different forms:. Antivirals are well-tolerated by most people. However, not everyone can or should take antivirals. The benefits and risks must be discussed with a doctor. People may wish to have a prescription filled out and ready rather than wait for the next cold sore to appear before they ask for one.
This way, the medication can be taken or applied as soon as the tingling or other symptoms begin. Due to their potentially embarrassing nature, many people look to get rid of cold sores overnight. However, preventing a cold sore is quicker and safer approach than treating an outbreak.
People can try to avoid triggers that cause cold sores, keeping the sores on their skin from appearing in the first place. Not all cold sores can be prevented, but knowing what triggers them is an important step in cold sore management. Common cold sore triggers include:. Keeping a diary or log may help a person work out what triggers their cold sores. Writing down things, such as diet, activities, illnesses, and life events can help narrow down what has preceded the outbreak.
An added benefit of knowing cold sore triggers is the ability to be even more proactive in taking medications. Consequently, if a person knows they were exposed to a cold sore trigger, they can be especially watchful for early signs and get started on medications right away, if needed. Antiviral medications may only be prescribed for those who have recurrent cold sores.
One notable exception is Zilactin, which is safe for inside your mouth. But in general, topical OTC creams should cause you to show improvement somewhere between 72 hours to four days later. Sometimes, though, it can take a week or more. But in general, your OTC medication should speed up recovery by two to three days.
That said, according to Airey, "sometimes if medication is taken at the first signs of a cold sore, you can prevent a breakout entirely. As a seasoned health writer, Jennifer Nied understands how vital quality product recommendations are for treating symptoms safely and effectively at home.
For over 10 years, she has reviewed products, interviewed experts, scrutinized ingredients, and pored over research studies and claims, to help readers like you understand what works for your specific conditions. Every product in this piece was selected taking into account recommendations from doctors, published research, and real customer reviews.
Additional reporting to this story by Simone Scully. Simone Scully is a New York-based writer and editor with years of experience writing about health, wellness, science, and lifestyle. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Oral herpes. Quantum Health. Cold sore study published in Alternative Medicine Review. August 23, Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Sexual Health. By Jennifer Nied. Jennifer Nied. Jennifer Nied has written about health, fitness and wellness for over 10 years. Learn about our editorial process. Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD. Learn about our Medical Review Board. Our Top Picks. Best Overall:. The only FDA-approved, non-prescription medicine to treat cold sores with the active ingredient Docosanol.
Best for Blisters:. Creates a protective layer over cold sores and envelopes them with pain relief. Best For Kids:. Safe for children and still lessens the duration of cold sores with natural and organic ingredients.
Best Device:. Uses light technology to shorten the healing time of your cold sore. Best Lip Balm:. Best Natural:. Boosts the immune system to fight cold sores and other forms of herpes. Pros FDA-approved, non-prescription option Works at first signs of cold sore Safe for children over Cons Pricey.
Cold and Flu Relief From the Drugstore. View On Amazon. Pros Dulls pain for 6 hours Can treat canker sores and gum irritations. Cons Uncomfortable application Protective film formed can be hard to remove. Pros Safe for children All natural ingredients.
Cons Not a medicated treatment Can sting when first applied. Cons Pricey Not as easy to find at stores.
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