Treating Cold Sores

You can usually get rid of a cold sore naturally within ten days or so. Many people choose to wait out their cold sores, just ignoring them until they go away. While that is OK for some, othewrs want to treat them straight away. There are many different types of cold sore treatment available, from antiviral pills to over the counter and prescription creams. Many people also use conventional pain relievers like aspirin and acetaminophen as cold sore treatment.

 Often on the first outbreak people are often recommended to take antiviral medications. These pills are only obtainable by prescription, so the cold sore sufferer must consult a doctor first. Cold sore medication such as acyclovir or famciclovir can provide pain relief and reduce the healing time of a cold sore. If you want antiviral medication to be effective, start taking it as soon as the cold sore appears

There are several types of creams used to treat cold sores. Creams containing docosanol are particularly useful. Docosanol is used to fight against the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores and it can soothe the pain as well as help heal the cold sore sooner. Other types of cold sore treatment include creams designed to numb the area surrounding the cold sore and moisturizer creams that help revitalize the skin around the cold sore. Lip balm can also prevent the cold sore from cracking open.

Many traditional pain relief medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen are great cold sore treatments. These medicines treat the inflammation, providing pain relief. While there is no cure for cold sores, there are several types of cold sore treatment that make having a cold sore a shorter experience.

Always, if possible consult with a doctor before starting on any course of treatment