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Feb. 25, 2020 They're painful. They're unsightly. They're annoying. Cold sores (aka fever blisters) are just plain unwelcome. When one pops up on your lip or mouth, you probably immediately think: What's the fastest way to get rid of this thing? "Herpes simplex virus — the virus that causes cold sores — is incredibly contagious, and infection with the virus is really common," says Dr. Donald Brown, primary care practitioner at Houston Methodist. "In fact, more than 50% of adults in the U.S. are infected with the type of herpes virus that most commonly causes cold sores. Interestingly, however, most people who contract the virus never actually develop symptoms." If the virus does cause cold sores, it can spread from person-to-person through close contact, like kissing. But, while you may not know it, the virus can also spread by sharing:
"The virus is most contagious when a cold sore is present, particularly when the blister begins to ooze," Dr. Brown adds. "However, it's important to know that you can still spread the virus long after a cold sore heals — as well as when a blister isn't even present." For those who are no stranger to those painful, fluid-filled blisters, when you get a cold sore, you probably want it gone — fast. What are the best ways to get rid of a cold sore?Unfortunately, there's no cure for cold sores, and it can take between two to four weeks for a cold sore to heal on its own. But, there are things you can do to make them go away faster. Here are three things that can help soothe a cold sore or make it clear up faster: 1. Try home remedies. When used early, there are several remedies that can help ease the pain and reduce swelling — and may even shorten the duration of a cold sore:
2. Apply topical creams and ointments. There are a few over-the-counter anesthetic ointments and creams that can help control pain, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Some products, such as those containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol, may even promote faster healing when used early and in plentiful amounts. 3. Take prescription medications. There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you're having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication. "To get rid of a cold sore quickly, the best thing you can do is start treating it as soon as possible," says Dr. Brown. "A burning or tingling sensation on your lips or face can be an early warning sign that a cold sore is developing, and the earlier you start reducing swelling and treating the cold sore, the faster it will heal." How can I stop cold sores from forming?So you nipped your last cold sore flare-up in the bud (like a champ), and it lasted less than a week — but here you are, just a few months later, and the cold sores are back. There's good news, and then there's bad news. Let's start with the bad news. "Once a person is infected with herpes simplex virus, he or she is infected for life," says Dr. Brown. "After a cold sore heals, the virus isn't actually cleared from your body. Instead, the virus travels back into your nerves, where it can lie dormant for long periods of time. When the virus reemerges, it typically does so in the same spot as before." So what triggers the virus to reactivate and cause a flare-up? Dr. Brown says that a cold sore outbreak can be triggered by:
But, here's the good news. While there's not much you can do about some of these triggers, others can be avoided. "Stress can weaken your immune system, which may be a trigger for cold sores to reemerge. If you suffer from cold sores and think they may be caused by stress, it's a good idea to manage your stress via mediation or other relaxation techniques," suggests Dr. Brown. "If you've noticed that your flare-ups are linked to sunlight, be sure to apply sunscreen or sun-protective lip balm before going out in the sun." Stay up-to-date By signing up, you will receive our newsletter with articles, videos, health tips and more. Please Enter Email Please Enter Valid Email Introduction Cold sores are painful and oozing, and they always seem to appear before that wedding or class reunion. Also called fever blisters, the small, fluid-filled lesions typically form near or on your lips and can cause symptoms such as tingling, itching, or burning. They’re caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes virus. Cold sores are typically caused by type 1 virus (HSV-1). But in some cases, HSV-1 can cause sores on the genitals and type 2 virus (HSV-2) can cause sores on the mouth. There’s no cure for cold sores. But, because they’re caused by a virus, they can be treated with antiviral medications. These include the prescription medication Valtrex. Valtrex, which contains the active ingredient valacyclovir, can help your cold sores clear up faster. It can also reduce the number of cold sores you get. Read on to learn how Valtrex works and how to use it to treat your cold sores. Cold sores typically start to heal on their own within about four to six days. Although, the first cold sore you get will likely last longer. Most people don’t require treatment for their cold sores, but, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication such as Valtrex. This may be because you get cold sores often or if you’re at high risk of serious complications, such as from a weakened immune system. To treat a cold sore, you take Valtrex on the day you notice a cold sore forming. Valtrex works by preventing the herpes virus from growing and spreading. Your doctor may also prescribe Valtrex to help prevent future cold sores, which is an off-label use. In that case, you and your doctor would work together to create the best treatment plan for you. Valtrex is an oral caplet. It comes in 500-milligram and 1-gram strengths. It’s available as a brand-name product as well as a generic medication (valacyclovir). The generic product is an oral tablet which comes in the same strengths. For adults and children 12 years and olderThe recommended dosage is 2 grams twice daily, taken 12 hours apart, for one day. Valtrex should be started at the earliest signs of a cold sore. For children 11 years and youngerValtrex is not recommended for treating cold sores in children of this age group. But it can be used to treat chickenpox in children ages 2 years and older. In one 2003 study, people who took Valtrex had shorter cold sore episodes by about one day compared to people who didn’t take Valtrex at all. Most people in the study took Valtrex within two hours of noticing their first cold sore symptoms.
The more common side effects of Valtrex include:
The serious side effects of Valtrex can include: Valtrex may not be the best choice for certain people. People with kidney damage or kidney failure may need a lower dosage of Valtrex. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before you start taking the drug. If you’ve ever had an allergic or other serious reaction to Valtrex, Zovirax (acyclovir), or the ingredients in them, do not take Valtrex without talking to your doctor first. Valtrex is not the only medication used to treat cold sores. Other medications include:
Zovirax is an oral medication and it also comes in cream form. Denavir is a topical cream. There are also natural treatments that may help ease symptoms of a cold sore during an outbreak. For more information about Valtrex, talk with your doctor. Feel free to review this article with them and ask any questions you have, like:
Together, you and your doctor can decide if Valtrex or another medication or treatment is a good choice to treat your cold sores. For more information, read about the seven best cold sore remedies. What is the best overBest Overall: Abreva 10% Docosanol Cream Treatment for Cold Sore/Fever Blister, 0.07 Ounce. What do buyers say? 94% of 6,900+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above. Infused with 10% Docosanol, this FDA-approved, non-prescription medicine works to treat cold sores, which is why we chose it as our top pick ...
How can I get rid of a fever blister fast?They're painful. They're unsightly. They're annoying. Cold sores (aka fever blisters) are just plain unwelcome.. Cold, damp washcloth.. Ice or cold compress.. Petroleum jelly.. Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.. What ointment is good for fever blisters?Acyclovir cream is used to treat cold sores (fever blisters; blisters that are caused by a virus called herpes simplex) on the face or lips.
What is the most effective cold sore treatment?Prescription antiviral medications are typically much more effective for both treatment and prevention of cold sore flare-ups.. Lemon balm. ... . Over-the-counter antiviral medications. ... . Ice. ... . Aloe vera. ... . Sunscreen. ... . Stress reduction. ... . Ibuprofen or acetaminophen.. |
Over the counter meds for fever blisters
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