Placing a cool, wet towel on the cold sore 3 times a day for 10 minutes at a time can help reduce pain, redness, and swelling. Tomatoes and citrus fruits like oranges contain acid, that can irritate the skin and make your pain much worse.
You have enough to deal with. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain and swelling caused by a cold sore. By clicking the link s above, you will be taken to an external website that is independently operated and not managed by GSK. GSK assumes no responsibility for the content on the website. Cold sores are contagious before they are visible through to when they have completely healed. Cold sores are most contagious in the third stage when the blisters break open and start releasing fluid.
There are no treatments that can cure cold sores outright. Instead, a person can try treatments that reduce symptoms, the frequency of cold sores, and speed healing.
The following over-the-counter OTC treatments may help with swelling, soreness, and discomfort:. For severe cases, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medication. A person should start using prescription treatments within 24 hours after symptoms appear. Prescription medications used to treat cold sores include penciclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, and acyclovir.
Women should not use these medications if they are pregnant or breastfeeding or might become pregnant. When children have problems with painful, recurring cold sores, pediatric dentists may use lasers to help stop the pain.
Although it is common for cold sores to reappear in the same spots over time, a report on the use of lasers indicated that cold sores do not reappear in laser-treated areas. Home remedies and self-care can help people feel more comfortable as a cold sore heals. A person can try:. HSV can reactivate when a person is stressed , anxious, tired , sunburned, or experiencing hormonal changes.
As such, it may help a person with reoccurring cold sores to:. Some people use complementary therapies to help cold sores heal, including:. While some essential oils do display some antiviral properties, researchers have not confirmed if they can speed up cold sore healing. Additionally, a person should be careful applying essential oils near the mouth, as some are toxic if ingested. A person with an active cold sore should try to avoid touching it. The following practices can help prevent the spread of HSV:.
Although research suggests that essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these. Never squeeze the blisters as this can help spread the virus and even lead to scarring. This stage can be the most painful cold sore stage, as the blisters burst, leaving open sores. Stage 3 is the most infectious stage, so take care to avoid spreading the virus until your cold sore has completely healed and disappeared.
The HSV-1 virus is highly contagious. It spreads through skin-to-skin contact or via the moist inner skin that lines the mouth, eyes or genitals. It can also be sight-threatening if it reaches your inner cornea, the transparent layer at the front of your eye, and is left untreated.
Avoid touching your cold sore and always wash your hands after applying cream or before touching your eyes, genitals, or areas of broken skin. Avoid sexual contact including kissing and do not share any personal items that may have come into contact with your saliva, such as cutlery or toothbrushes.
Let the scab fall off naturally. Your burst blister will dry out forming a yellow-brown scab. As the scab shrinks, it may create painful cracks in your lip that bleed.
The area may itch, burn, or feel tight. To ease discomfort, try a cream or balm containing protectants, such as allantoin, petrolatum, cocoa butter or glycerin. Sunscreen protects your lips while the cold sore heals and may help prevent future breakouts as UV light is a cold sore trigger for many people. As your scab starts to flake off, there may be some residual swelling in the area. The cold sore is completely healed when the scab and flakiness disappear, leaving healthy skin underneath.
If you frequently get cold sores, keep a symptom diary to help you spot the triggers — avoiding or managing them can help prevent cold sores.
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