Cold Sore Treatment
Cold sores are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth and are commonly caused by the HSV-1 infection, which is a type of herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Cold sores are highly contagious and very common; they can also be painful and take time to clear, so it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
Cold sore outbreaks can be effectively treated with antiviral medication such as Aciclovir with prices starting from £19.99.
What are the symptoms of Cold Sores and how do they form?
The main symptoms of cold sores consist of the formation of blisters around the mouth which can be itchy, sore and uncomfortable. A tingling sensation may be felt before blisters start to form and is a common warning sign before an outbreak occurs. The blisters that form due to cold sores can crack and bleed which can be particularly uncomfortable.
Cold sores develop and form in different stages:
- Tingling, itching or burning sensation.
- Small fluid blister(s) start to form.
- The blister will fill with fluid and bust.
- The scab formed will slowly heal within the next few days.
It’s important to use antiviral medication early on to significantly reduce the length of time symptoms last for. Cold sores can take up to 10 days to heal in some cases, therefore, prescription medication is recommended to clear cold sores quickly.
What should you do and not do if you have a Cold Sore outbreak?
When experiencing an outbreak of cold sores it’s important to manage it effectively, this is necessary to ease discomfort, speed up the healing process and reduce the risk of passing the virus on.
The Do’s and Don’ts of having cold sores:
- Do: Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Do: Wash your hands before and after applying the cream
- Do: Use lip balm with SPF 15 or above
- Do: Eat cool, soft foods
- Do: Take painkillers to ease pain and swelling
- Do not: touch your cold sore.
- Do not: kiss anyone when you have a cold sore.
- Do not: share anything you come into contact with (e.g. cutlery, lipstick).
- Do not: eat salty, acidic food.
- Do not: have oral sex until your cold sore has completely healed.
How do I get rid of Cold Sores?
While the herpes simplex virus can’t be cured, cold sore outbreaks caused by the virus can be effectively managed and quickly cleared with antiviral medication.
Treatment options to get rid of cold sores consist of:
Aciclovir: Aciclovir (also known as Acyclovir) is an antiviral medication taken to effectively treat cold sore outbreaks. Aciclovir works by stopping the HSV virus from multiplying, which significantly shortens the outbreak duration and accompanying symptoms.