Cold Sores: 4 Treatments You Can Try
That innocent kiss from Aunt Ida when you were a child could have transmitted the herpes simplex 1 virus (HSV-1) that is now causing that cold sore flaring on your lip. HSV-1 is highly contagious and after exposure, can remain dormant in your body until some event occurs that causes the virus to become active and cause cold sores.
Outbreaks can either be a single cold sore or a cluster of them on the skin anywhere on the face or lips. HSV-1 is a different virus than herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2) which is referred to as "genital herpes" but it is possible to have eruptions from either virus in either place of the body.
Infections can be occasional or recurrent triggered by stress, fatigue, sunlight or another infection, such as a cold or flu. There is no cure for the herpes virus but there are actions you can take to keep the outbreak contained and heal it faster.
What can help relieve the pain of cold sores:
1. Ice: Take an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel and rub it over the area where you feel the cold sore starting to erupt. Do this several times a day for about 5 minutes at a time. Icing works best if you use it as soon as you feel that slight tingle, stinging or swelling signaling a cold sore in the works. The ice will help relieve the pain and keep the area from becoming too swollen.
2. Medication: The FDA recently approved a new drug called Lipsovir by Medivir which is a combination of acyclovir (antiviral) and cortisone (anti-inflammatory) in a prescription cream. In clinical trials, Lipsovir prevented outbreaks of cold sores in 42% of people versus 26% in the placebo group and reduced the healing time by 1.5 days. Other acyclovir type drugs are: Denivar cream, Zovirax cream or pills, Famvir and Valtrex which are both pills.
Ask your dentist what he/she would suggest and about calling the pharmacy for a topical cream to the pharmacy. Pill versions of these acyclovir drugs have more side effects and your doctor would be the one to decide if they are appropriate for you.
3. Other creams- Abreva® (10% Docosanol) is an FDA approved over the counter cream for oral facial cold sores to help speed healing.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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