Cold Sore Treatment

How are cold sores treated?
Cold sores will usually start to heal on their own within a few days. But if they cause pain or make you feel embarrassed, they can be treated. Treatment may include skin creams, ointments, or sometimes pills. Treatment may get rid of the cold sores only 1 to 2 days faster, but it can also help ease painful blisters or other uncomfortable symptoms.
The herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores cannot be cured. After you get infected, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. If you get cold sores often, treatment can reduce the number of cold sores you get and how severe they are.
How can you prevent cold sores?
There are some things you can do to keep from getting the herpes simplex virus.
Avoid coming into contact with infected body fluids, such as kissing an infected person.
Avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, or other items that a person with a cold sore may have used. After you have been infected with the virus, there is no sure way to prevent more cold sores. But there are some things you can do to reduce your number of outbreaks and prevent spreading the virus.
Avoid the things that trigger your cold sores, such as stress and colds or the flu.
Always use lip balm and sunscreen on your face. Too much sunlight can cause cold sores to flare.
Avoid sharing towels, razors, silverware, toothbrushes, or other objects that a person with a cold sore may have used.
When you have a cold sore, make sure to wash your hands often, and try not to touch your sore. This can help keep you from spreading the virus to your eyes or genital area or to other people.
Talk to your doctor if you get cold sores often. You may be able to take prescription pills to prevent cold sore outbreaks.