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#Cold sores cool compress how to#
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At the first sign of symptoms, apply it to the affected skin using a cotton-tipped swab.

Penciclovir (sold under the brand name Denavir)Īn over-the-counter cold sore ointment called docosanol, sold under the brand name Abreva, may shorten the healing time of a cold sore, Dr.

Valacyclovir (sold under the brand name Valtrex).

Acyclovir (sold under the brand name Zovirax).

Prescription treatments include pills or creams such as: “If you can purchase these medicines ahead of time, you have them on hand and can start taking them as soon as you feel the tingling or burning sensation that means a breakout is coming.” “Ask your primary care physician about giving you a prescription for these medicines,” Dr.

Prescription Drugs To Treat Cold SoresĬold sores usually go away without treatment in two to four weeks, but prescription drugs can help, Dr.

#Cold sores cool compress how to#

We talked with family medicine physician Barbara Vizy, MD, to learn more about how to treat cold sores. Many HSV-1 infections are acquired during childhood, and the infection is lifelong. However, the virus also can be transmitted from oral or skin surfaces that appear normal and when no symptoms are present. The greatest risk of transmission is when there are active sores. The virus is spread through close personal contact such as kissing or sharing a drinking glass, eating utensils, or lip balm with someone who has a cold sore. adults ages 45 to 49 have this infection. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that about 60 percent of U.S. HSV-1 is highly contagious and fairly common. They usually form on or around the mouth but can also develop inside the nose or on the chin or cheek. These inflamed, fluid-filled blisters are the main symptom of an infection by the herpes simplex 1 virus (HSV-1). The good news is a cold sore is not a serious medical condition, and there are things you can do to make them less painful. You may also use ice, but don't apply it directly to the skin - instead, wrap it in a paper towel or washcloth.Ĭold sores should clear up within 10 days or so of when you start treating them.Cold sores can be uncomfortable and the changes they cause in appearance can be a source of embarrassment. Cool compresses or ice: Applying a cold, damp washcloth to a cold sore intermittently throughout the day may help reduce swelling and pain.Alternatively, you can apply an over-the-counter topical pain reliever with numbing agents like lidocaine or benzocaine, directly onto the cold sore. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Try taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce inflammation, and thus ease the pain that comes with cold sores.Topical zinc oxide treatments may also be beneficial. Over-the-counter creams: The only FDA-approved non-prescription medicine to treat cold sores is Abreva, which contains the active ingredient docosanol to decrease symptoms and possibly speed up healing.Here are some of your best home treatment options, according to Purdy: The right one for you will depend on the severity and frequency of your outbreaks. They range from home remedies to prescription medications. There are a wide variety of treatments to help manage cold sore symptoms and shorten the amount of time they're visible. "These types of circumstances may lower someone's immune system and increase the chance that the virus will express itself in the form of cold sores."

"I've had patients often get cold sores during exam weeks, life crisis, or relationship troubles," says Purdy.

Using harsh, irritating skin or cosmetic products around the lips that disrupt the skin barrierĮveryone who has the herpes virus is different, and some people may simply be more prone to frequent outbreaks, says Purdy.

#Cold sores cool compress cracked#

Chapped, cracked skin on or around the lips.

Sunburn on the lips, or exposure to strong sunlight.

Viral infection, like the common cold or flu.

Hormonal changes, like those related to menstruation.

Here are some common triggers for cold sore outbreaks, according to Purdy: However, these outbreaks often decrease over time.Īfter a while, cold sores typically only show up when triggered. This is when you're most contagious, especially when blisters are oozing fluid. You may experience recurring outbreaks of cold sores when you first contract the virus. In fact, many people don't know they have HSV-1 because they're asymptomatic. It's important to note, however, that you can contract herpes and not have cold sores. HSV-1 is a common and highly contagious virus typically transmitted through skin-to-skin contact involving the mouth - like kissing and oral sex - while HSV-2 is mostly transmitted through genital-to-genital contact. Herpes type 1 (HSV-1) is usually the culprit of cold sores, but herpes type 2 (HSV-2) can also cause them, says Laura Purdy, MD, a family medicine doctor and medical director for Wisp. Cold sores are caused by the contagious herpes simplex virus (HSV), of which there are two types.