How To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore Fast: Short-Term Fixes and Long-Term Solutions
Published Oct 2, 2020
Imagine this: you wake up ready for a big day, but as soon as you look in the mirror, horror overcomes your body. It’s a cold sore, a fever blister, whatever you choose to call them, they’ve got to go. When cold sores pop up, the most frequent question we get is, “how do I get rid of this fast?”
First, let’s talk herpes. Herpes simplex virus is one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections present in the world. A shocking fact is that if you’re a sexually active adult, there’s a 67% chance that you may contract herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), which is the primary strain of herpes that leads to cold sores. What’s even more shocking is that while the virus is so widespread, people who have herpes often don’t show symptoms of it at all.
HSV-1 is mainly spread through oral-to-oral contact, as in kissing. But what’s scarier is that you can spread it by sharing things that have come in contact with your mouth. This includes sharing lip balm, utensils, food, and drinks, among others.
What you should know is that the virus is most contagious when you’re having an outbreak. To be more specific, when your cold sores are present, or worse – oozing with pus, they’re most contagious. That’s not to say that you aren’t infectious when you’re not showing symptoms, as most people contract herpes from those without symptoms.
The bottom line on cold sores is that they’re annoying; they’re painful and ugly to look at, and life would be so much better without them. So, we’re here today to show you both quick and long-term fixes to them.
What are the solutions to herpes and cold sores?
Unfortunately, herpes is a lifelong virus, and cold sores may be recurring. But there are a few remedies to both manage and subdue them to a certain degree, both short-term and long-term.
Short-term fixes
Generally, cold sores do not require special treatment. They heal by themselves anywhere between two to four weeks after first appearing. Moreover, they do not have a specific remedy for them, but instead, most medication targets the underlying virus in HSV. However, here are some ways to help them go away faster and manage the discomfort.
Compress
A cold compress does a terrific job of relieving a lot of the cold sores’ pain. You will want to wrap the ice or cold compress in a towel before applying it to the skin, so as not to damage it. According to Mayo Clinic, a cold, damp cloth may reduce redness, remove crusting, and promote healing. A warm compress may also be useful in relieving some pain.
Over-the-counter Topical Creams
Many OTC anesthetic ointments and creams help relieve and manage the pain from cold sores, including lidocaine or benzocaine. Creams and ointments containing drying agents like docosanol or benzyl alcohol may also speed up the healing process.
Antiviral Medication
Antiviral medication, as its name suggests, targets the underlying virus in HSV. These prescription drugs have been shown to speed up the healing process. Some well-known examples of antiviral medication include:
- Acyclovir (Zovirax)
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
- Famciclovir
- Penciclovir (Denavir)
Pain relievers
Taking some oral OTC medicine may also help reduce some of the pain associated with the cold sores. These include common medication like:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
And nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- Aspirin
- naproxen (Aleve)
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Long-Term remedies
While herpes is a lifelong infection, there are several ways you can manage it that reduce the frequency of outbreaks. These won’t completely prevent the occurrence of cold sores, but make them very manageable.
Manage triggers
Herpes outbreaks are linked to a lot of common conditions we encounter in our daily lives. These are some common triggers of outbreaks:
- Menstruation
- Fatigue
- Stress
- Illness or weakened immune system
- Exposure to sunlight
While some of these are less controllable than others, you can manage most, especially stress and sunlight exposure. Stress induces your body to produce harmful hormones and weaken your immune system. Some ways you can reduce stress and improve overall health include:
- Eat a balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Stop smoking and other poor habits
- Avoid sources of stress
- Practice relaxation techniques like meditation
Suppressive therapy
Recurrences of oral herpes outbreaks are significantly reduced with daily oral acyclovir and valacyclovir. These medications are especially useful for immunosuppressed patients with recurring infections.
Suffering From Herpes Type 2 Outbreaks?
Herpezine is a specially formulated all-natural mixture of ingredients proven to help relieve and prevent HSV2 outbreaks when used as directed. This safe, over-the-counter Herpes treatment contains both traditional homeopathic and scientifically proven anti-viral ingredients such as L-Lysine HCI and Bee Propolis. Learn more about Herpezine on our website and visit our pricing page to purchase your first bottle.
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