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How to get rid of stuff » Health Problems » How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
 

How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore

April 17th, 2007 by MartinDodge
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Cold Sores

Riddle: How is a cold sore like a brother-in-law visiting from out-of-town for the week? Answer: You can't dispose of either of them easily; you usually have to wait until they go away.

What is a Cold Sore?

Unlike brothers-in-law, cold sores are not irritants brought on by marriage but are small, painful infections that attack skin and nerves, look like chicken pox, and are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They can appear on various parts of your body but usually show up on the lips and, less commonly, on the nose. They start invisibly with a tingling sensation, followed two days later by the red, fluid-filled pustules that we call cold sores or fever blisters or, simply, “those disgusting looking things." And there they sit, painful to the touch, for a week to 10 days. Unlike canker sores, with which they are often confused, they seldom appear inside the mouth (Tips on how to relieve pain from canker sores). During that 7-to-10-day period, the blisters break, ooze, and form a yellow crust. They thus get even uglier. The scabs then fall off, and the skin heals without scarring. During that period, the sores are communicable through direct contact with others (or with yourself) or through an intermediary like a towel or razor. So, if you can actually find someone who will kiss you on the lips during that period, refuse them that dubious privilege. After that's over, and your skin is back to normal, you might be fooled into thinking the virus causing the infection has died and gone off to virus limbo. No, it doesn't. It becomes dormant in the skin's nerve cells and can be reawakened quickly by such things as stress, menses, a fever, or getting a sunburn. The first infection by the virus usually occurs in childhood; once the virus enters the body, it remains there forever. The first outbreak is typically the most severe as no antibodies have been produced to resist it. Meningitis is a possible complication.

Cold Sore Treatments

Unless you really like hanging around clinics, there is generally no need to visit a doctor to get cold sores treated. Non-prescription ointments are available to ease the pain, and an oral analgesic may also help. That said, however, there is a remote chance of complications. For instance, if the infection spreads to the eyes, the result can be blindness. There is also increased risk of more serious infections for people with defective immune systems or eczema, and also for infants. So if you are in a group at increased risk, or if you are having severe symptoms, or if there is an itching in your eye while you have cold sores, or if you have a crush on your medical care provider, it's best to see your doctor. Whatever you do, avoid touching your eye after touching a cold sore. Wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the disease. Severe infections can be brought under control – they may be treated with a prescription cream, Zovirax. But, regardless of its severity, no cold sore can actually be cured. If treated early, however, the period of viral activity can be shortened with drugs like Penciclovir, Aciclovire, Valicyclovir, and Ganciclovir. A derivative of castor oil, undecylenic acid, is also thought to be effective against viral skin infections.

Preventing Cold Sores

  • Use a lip moisturizer if your lips tend to be dry or chapped; when outdoors, use a sunscreen lip balm with an SPF of at least 15
  • Limit your exposure to sun or UV lamps
  • Avoid stress (See how to get rid of stress)
  • In support of your immune system, follow a healthy diet and sleep regimen
  • Avoid skin contact with others who have cold sores or with any cups/glasses/cans, utensils or towels they have used, and avoid sharing food with them
  • Wash your hands frequently.
There are those who promote various cold sore remedies for terminating them early or even preventing them from starting up (Learn how to treat a cold sore). You will find dozens of them, involving such things as nail polish remover. Try them at your own risk, and please feel free to add any of your own cold sore home remedies to this page using the form below. Also learn how to get rid of cold sores and how to get rid of cold sores in one day.
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  1. January 31st, 2012 at 7:55 pm    Amanda Dolson Says:

    “I’ve been trying for years to get rid of the cold sores that appear every time and then on my upper lip. They are just too ugly and whenever I had them I just feel to stay at home until they go off. Surprisingly, after only a few days following your program and theirs no sign of any cold sores anymore.

  2. January 18th, 2012 at 9:08 pm    Heather Says:

    1 word – Camphophenique. It’s available at wal-mart. It’s a bit expensive, but it’s worth it. I use it right when I feel that one is gonna pop up. It burns a little at first but it helps keep it from getting huge and out of control. Put some on every hour or so. It works.

  3. January 15th, 2012 at 10:51 am    ace Says:

    I hate having cold sores right now im pregnant and just had surgrey im really stressed so i woke up this morning with 7 of them on my lip im so embarassed uggg

  4. January 9th, 2012 at 2:28 pm    daphney Says:

    I have cold sores right now and I’m not gonna go to school until there gone! Its embarrassing. And since I’m in high
    School.. the kids will think I’m doing something negative which I’m not because. Ive had it since I was little it iches and hurts I dont noe what to do any more :(

  5. January 3rd, 2012 at 7:24 pm    Ashleey ! Says:

    Abrivia has always been my best friend when cold sore come arouund , there DEFINATLEY NOT cheaap but they help for me quikest &’ best !

  6. December 15th, 2011 at 7:39 pm    Abustin Says:

    I have had cold sores. for a long time. ice works but put rubbing alcohol on it for an hour then melt and ice cube! it really works. :) enjoy

  7. December 14th, 2011 at 2:54 pm    Alexis Says:

    I’ve gotten cold sores since i was little and they always have seem to hurt. Well the other morning i woke up and discoverd 4 on my lips! i wanted to cry and i had school in 30 minutes. there was nothing to do. so when i got home from school i keep applying chapstick on it. After a while i fell asleep, the next moring i had 4 HUGE blisters on my lips. (I sure wasnt going to school that morning) well i went online after putting vineger on my lips for hrs and after putting salt water on my lips too. neither of them worked just burnt. well im deff. affraid to put rubbing alcohol on them because i dont like pain, and im not popping them with a safty pin. all i want is these damn things gone!!!! im embaressed to go to school tomorrow and i need them gone by tonight!!!!! someone please helllppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. December 12th, 2011 at 6:12 pm    Jessica Says:

    Cold sores are HORRIBLE! Im 17 and have been getting them since I was in 2nd grade. To get rid of them, AS SOON as I feel the tingle, I ice it for 30 minutes, then put rubbing alcohol on it as well as witch hazel. The alcohol fights infection, and the witch hazel helps the swelling (as well does the ice). Load up on Lysine tablets, while you have the cold sore, and even when you don’t. They DO work, and they DO prevent cold sore outbreaks! Then apply either Abreva, Lysine topical ointment, or cortisone cream. These all dry it up, which is what makes it go away ALOT faster. Pop the blisters if you want, just make sure hydrogen peroxide is near by! It’s easy for the infection to spread after popping the blister. Usually my cold sores last 7 days, but the last 3 times, i’ve used the method above and its lasted 3 days, and it didn’t even blister!

    Just remember, the object is to DRY IT OUT! Rubbing alcohol dries it up FAST. It burns; but its very effective. I REALLY hope this helps!(:

  9. December 3rd, 2011 at 9:32 am    Megan Says:

    I always get cold sores. They are extremly embarassing. I hate even going to school with them, let alone seeing my boyfriend. One time i took the membrane off a raw egg & put it on my lip and let it dry there. I continued doing that , and i left it there overnight. When i woke up, they were gone. But i tried that again this time & it didn’t work. So now i just use Champo-Phenic. I don’t know how its spelled… but (CAMP-O-PHENIC)

  10. November 27th, 2011 at 9:26 am    jamie Says:

    There is no cure, ive had cold sores my whole life…nothing works, sure some things may help but nothing will work to stop these, all you have to do is wait…time is the only thing that heals these bastards

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