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If you get hit with a painful cold sore, you don’t need to let it sideline you. Similar to a sports injury, taking the right steps right away can help shorten healing time and duration of painful
cold sore symptoms. So next time you’re facing an annoying cold sore, this helpful 5-step regimen can help you fight back.
Step 1: Act quickly and apply Abreva®The best way to help a cold sore heal faster is by applying Abreva® Cream as soon as you feel that familiar tingle. Abreva® starts to work immediately and shortens the duration of pain, itching, burning, and tingling. It’s the only nonprescription cold sore medicine approved by the FDA to shorten healing time. When applied at the first sign, Abreva® is clinically proven to heal a cold sore in as little as 2½ days*. Simply put, it’s your best defense for fighting off a cold sore. *Median healing time 4.1 days. 25% of users healed in 2.5 days.
Step 2: Cool that cold sore down with a cold compressSimilar to using ice to relieve a painful sprain or sports injury, placing a cool, wet towel on a cold sore can help reduce pain, redness and swelling. Apply a cold compress 3 times a day for 10 minutes at a time to help it feel better.
Step 3: Take away the painThere’s nothing to gain by toughing it out. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain and swelling, although this won’t make the cold sore go away.
Step 4: Avoid hot beverages and foods that are salty, spicy, or acidicDo yourself a favor and steer clear of foods that are likely to irritate a cold sore. Things like pretzels, curry, hot sauce, or citrus fruits could aggravate your cold sore and make the pain worse.1
Step 5: Don’t be pickyKeep your hands off that cold sore. Resist the temptation to pick at it because you may prolong the healing process or make it more irritated. Remember, cold sores are contagious so if you accidently touch it, DO NOT touch any other body parts, especially your eyes. Be sure to wash your hands as soon as possible to avoid spreading it to another area or to somebody else. Now you know exactly what to do next time something triggers a cold sore. There’s no need to act like a tough guy. Follow this playbook and you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time. 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. If you do not wish to leave this website, do not click on the links above. What started as a tender, tingling sensation at the edge of your mouth is now a full-blown cold sore, and you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are painful, fluid-filled blisters that occur on lips, under the nose, or around the chin. According to the American Dental Association, the initial infection can also cause painful lesions inside the mouth on the tongue, cheeks, and gum tissue. These cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1), but don't be alarmed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50 percent of the United States population ages 20 and older have HSV-1, many of which never manifest symptoms. A cold sore usually goes away on its own within two weeks, but if you have a major event on your calendar — like a wedding or an important job interview — you're probably wondering how to get rid of your cold sore fast. Learn about your cold sore treatment options and how you can prevent future outbreaks. Prescription MedicationsFor the best results, see your doctor or dentist at the first hint of a cold sore. He or she can prescribe an antiviral medication to help your cold sore heal more quickly. Though the antiviral medication won't eliminate the virus from your system, it can reduce the duration of a cold sore outbreak. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your doctor may prescribe one of two formats:
These medications are most effective when they're taken before the blisters appear. When you feel a cold sore coming — tingling, burning, swelling, and redness in the area are all clues — the medications can help heal the cold sores or even stop them from appearing at all. Over-the-Counter Cold Sore RemediesThough most antiviral medications are only available with a prescription, there are some over-the-counter (OTC) options that can help reduce a cold sore's pain and discomfort. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, these ointments, creams, patches, or gels can speed up the healing process by about one day, and sometimes they can prevent blisters or scabs from forming, too. Look for a topical cream that contains acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol. Just like the prescription medications, these OTC options work best when used at the first signs of a cold sore outbreak. If you're looking to ease a cold sore's pain and discomfort, numbing creams that work as a local anesthetic to help numb pain and provide cold sore relief are also available. These creams contain active ingredients like benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine. At-Home Cold Sore RemediesIf your medicine cabinet isn't stocked with an antiviral medication, use these overnight cold sore remedies until you can see a doctor or visit a pharmacy.
Help Prevent Future Cold SoresThough the virus that causes cold sores does not have a cure, there are measures you can take to prevent outbreaks. These preventive measures include:
Cold sores can be annoying, painful, and inconvenient. When you have an important event on your calendar, use these tips to get rid of a cold sore fast, prevent future outbreaks, and restore your lovely smile. How do you make cold sores go away in 24 hours?Unfortunately, you can't get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours, but you can shorten cold sore healing time and cut down the duration of painful cold sore symptoms.
How do you stop a cold sore from forming?Cold sores respond to medications called antivirals, which work by stopping the herpes virus from replicating. Using the medication as soon as symptoms develop can stop the cold sore from developing or reduce its size and healing time. Antiviral medications are only available via prescription.
Can you stop a cold sore before it starts?The key to stopping a cold sore quickly is to treat it the moment you notice symptoms. While it's rarely possible to completely avoid a cold sore, treating it before it develops into a larger sore is a good way to limit its development and deal with a smaller, less obvious sore.
What calms a cold sore?A cold, damp cloth may reduce redness, help remove crusting and promote healing. Or try a warm compress to the blisters to ease pain. Rest and try pain relievers. Take over-the-counter pain relievers if you have a fever or the cold sore is painful.
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