If you have frequent outbreaks, ask your doctor about a daily antiviral. Is there a medication to keep cold sores from occurring? They suggest allowing a cold sore to dry out, and then applying moisture to prevent cracking or splitting. Since cold sores can thrive in moist environments, some medical experts recommend avoiding creams or gels once a lesion appears. Opinions vary regarding whether to keep a cold sore moist or dry. Should you keep a cold sore moist or dry? Keeping a food or activity diary can help pinpoint your exact triggers. You can’t always prevent a cold sore, but knowing what triggers them might reduce the frequency of outbreaks. If sunlight triggers cold sores, apply sunscreen daily to the area where cold sores develop.įrequently asked questions about cold sores How do you stop a cold sore from forming?.Don’t pick at a cold sore, and wash your hands each time you apply ointment or touch the sore.Replace your toothbrush when you get a cold sore to prevent reinfection, and replace it again after the sore has healed.Don’t share cosmetics such as lipstick, lip gloss, or foundation.Don’t share personal care items such as utensils, towels, or toothbrushes.Avoid intimate contact including kissing and other skin-to-skin contact until the lesion is healed.
To avoid transmitting the cold sore virus: They can also be passed to others even when there are no symptoms. When are cold sores contagious?Ī cold sore is contagious as soon as symptoms begin, even if blisters haven’t appeared. If you’re experiencing a lot of stress, try stress-relief techniques such as yoga, meditation, or journaling. You can help avoid cold sore outbreaks by living a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating nutrient-dense foods and exercising regularly. When your immune system is compromised, it’s less likely to fight off viruses. Stress and illness are two main triggers of cold sores. In this article, we review eight products for treating cold sores in the early stages, and explain how you can use them to potentially shorten the duration of an outbreak. This stage can last for a few days before the blister becomes visible, and it’s the best time for treatment. The herpes simplex virus is passed through contact, like kissing, using contaminated cosmetics, or sharing food.īefore a cold sore erupts, you may notice a tingling or burning sensation on your mouth or face.
The blisters stemming from both forms of the virus tend to look similar in appearance.Ĭold sores are contagious once they’re visible, but they can spread when they’re not visible too. Herpes simplex type 1 usually causes cold sores, while herpes simplex type 2 usually causes genital herpes. Causes of cold soresĬold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. These red lesions often appear in clumps and can linger for up to 2 weeks. These treatments, which include acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex), usually need to be started within 48 hours of the symptoms developing.A cold sore is a fluid-filled blister that appears near or in the mouth and sometimes on the fingers or nose. Use over-the-counter topical numbing agents, such as Orajel and Anbesol to relieve pain.Īsk your healthcare provider about oral prescription medications, which may reduce the risk of a cold sore developing or accelerate healing of an existing cold sore.
These are most effective if used in the early stages of the cold sore. Use over-the-counter topical antiviral cold sore medications, such as Abreva and Zilactin. Try topical pain relievers with lidocaine or benzocaine. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for pain. Try a warm compress to help ease the pain. Try a cold compress to help with redness and promote healing. Keep the area with the cold sores clean and dry. There is no "cure" for a cold sore, but there are ways to treat the pain and some ways to shorten the duration of the cold sore:
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