How to heal a cold sore quickly

Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are a common viral infection. They look like small blisters that are filled with fluid and on and around your lips. Many times, these blisters form in patches. Once they break, a crust develops over the sore. Fortunately, cold sores usually go away within two to four weeks and don’t leave a scar. The most painful cold sores are the ones that show up on the cracks of the cheeks and where the teeth hit the inside of one’s lips. They can sometimes be so painful that it brings tears to the eyes.

Many people have reached out to us asking the fastest ways to get rid of a cold sore or if there are any at home remedies that can fix the pain in 24 hours or less.

If two to four weeks seems like a long time or you have an upcoming important event and would like to get rid of your core sore as soon as possible, you may be able to. There are a number of natural home remedies that may get the job done. We recommend you try the following:

  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Ice Cube
  • Apple Cider Vinegar


Tea Tree Oil

Dab a bit of tea tree oil on a cotton swab and apply it to the sore directly. Be sure to repeat this several times during the day and before you go to bed. Tea tree oil is a great option because it contains anti-viral properties that kill infection that spread bacteria and expedite the healing process.


Ice Cube

Take an ice cube and hold it on to your cold sore to minimize itching and swelling. Try your best to avoid scratching the sore and repeat this several times during the day. Since an ice cube can reduce swelling, it can make your cold sore heal faster.


Apple Cider Vinegar

Use a cotton swab to apply apple cider vinegar on the cold sore with the cotton swab and leave it one until it dries. Repeat this several times throughout the day. Apple cider vinegar is an antimicrobial agent, which can kills the virus that’s causing infection and provide you with quick relief.

Contact River Run Dental

As with any type of sore or irritation, do not pick at it or rub insistently as this will only make it worse. It is not uncommon for people to lick or rub a cold sore with their tongue. There can be a slight pain that jolts through the skin and sore when doing this but some enjoy the pain. No matter your pain tolerance, understand that licking, picking or rubbing a cold sore is only going to prolong the time it is on your lips. We have heard of some people that actually enjoy this pain and it causes the cold sores to remain longer because they irritate the blister. Do your best to not touch it with your tongue or teeth.

For more information on cold sores and how to get rid of your them, contact our Midlothian, VA dental office. Feel free to call us at (804) 262-1060 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!

Read this article in Spanish here – Cómo deshacerse de las boqueras en 24 horas

Diagnosis

Your doctor can usually diagnose cold sores just by looking at them. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor might take a sample from the blister for testing in a laboratory.

Treatment

Cold sores generally clear up without treatment in two to four weeks. Several types of prescription antiviral medications may speed the healing process. Examples include:

  • .Acyclovir (Zovirax)
  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
  • Famciclovir
  • Penciclovir (Denavir)

Some of these products are packaged as pills to be swallowed. Others are creams to be applied to the sores several times a day. In general, the pills work better than the creams. For very severe infections, some antiviral drugs can be given with an injection.

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Lifestyle and home remedies

The over-the-counter cold sore ointment docosanol (Abreva) may shorten the healing time of a cold sore. At the first sign of symptoms, apply it to the affected skin as directed on the package. Use a cotton-tipped swab to put medicine on a cold sore. This helps prevent the spread of the sores to other parts of your body.

To ease the discomfort of a cold sore:

  • Try other cold sore remedies. Some over-the-counter preparations contain a drying agent, such as alcohol, that may speed healing.
  • Use lip balms and cream. Protect your lips from the sun with a zinc oxide cream or lip balm with sunblock. If your lips become dry, apply a moisturizing cream.
  • Apply a compress. 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. Creams with lidocaine or benzocaine may offer some pain relief.

Alternative medicine

Although study results have been mixed, alternative medicine treatments for cold sores include:

  • Lysine. An amino acid, lysine is available as an oral supplement and as a cream.
  • Rhubarb and sage. A cream combining rhubarb and sage may be about as effective as acyclovir (Zovirax) cream.
  • Stress reduction. If your cold sores are triggered by stress, you might want to try relaxation techniques, such as lemon balm extract, deep-breathing exercises and meditation.
  • Propolis. Also known as synthetic beeswax, this is available as a 3% ointment. When applied early and often, it might shorten the duration of the breakout.

Preparing for your appointment

Cold sores generally clear up without treatment in two to four weeks. Make an appointment with your family doctor if your cold sores:

  • Are lasting or severe
  • Return often
  • Are accompanied by eye discomfort

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to list answers to the following questions:

  • Have you ever had these symptoms before?
  • Do you have a history of skin problems?
  • What medications and supplements do you take regularly?

Below are some basic questions to ask your doctor about cold sores.

  • Do I have a cold sore?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend, if any?
  • What self-care steps can I follow to ease my symptoms?
  • Am I contagious? For how long?
  • How do I reduce the risk of spreading this condition to others?
  • How soon do you expect my symptoms will improve?
  • Am I at risk of complications from this condition?
  • Can I do anything to help prevent a recurrence?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. Your doctor may ask:

  • Could you sense a cold sore coming before the sore became visible?
  • Do your symptoms include eye irritation?
  • Have you noticed if anything in particular seems to trigger your symptoms?
  • Have you been treated for cold sores in the past? If so, what treatment was most effective?
  • Have you recently experienced significant stress or major life changes?
  • Are you pregnant?
  • Does your work or home life bring you into contact with infants or with people who have major illness?

June 17, 2020

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  2. Dinulos JGH. Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections. In: Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 7, 2020.
  3. Herpes simplex. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/herpes-simplex-overview. Accessed April 7, 2020.
  4. Ferri FF, et al., eds. Herpes simplex. In: Ferri's Fast Facts in Dermatology: A Practical Guide to Skin Diseases and Disorders. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2019. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 7, 2020.
  5. Kermott CA, et al., eds. Canker sores. In: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. 2nd ed. Time; 2017.
  6. Kermott CA, et al., eds. Cold sores. In: Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. 2nd ed. Time; 2017.
  7. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 6, 2015.
  8. Lemon balm. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/. Accessed April 8, 2020.
  9. Lysine. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/. Accessed April 8, 2020.
  10. Rhubarb. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/. Accessed April 8, 2020.
  11. Propolis. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/. Accessed April 8, 2020.
  12. Bauer BA, ed. Making wellness the focus of care. In: Mayo Clinic Guide to Integrative Medicine. Time; 2017.
  13. Klein RS. Treatment of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in immunocompetent patients. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 8, 2020.
  14. Hargitai IA. Painful oral lesions. Dental Clinics of North America. 2018; doi.10.1016/j.cden.2018.06.002.

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How do you make cold sores go away in 24 hours?

Use Ibuprofen to Reduce Pain and Swelling Most of the pain and discomfort caused by cold sores originations from underlying inflammation. NSAID medications like ibuprofen temporarily reduce inflammation so that you can feel better in less than 24 hours, even if that stubborn cold sore hasn't disappeared quite yet.

What's the fastest a cold sore can go away?

Cold sores usually disappear on their own in 5–15 days. Antiviral medication may speed up the healing process by about 1 day . Healthcare professionals, including dermatologists, can prescribe oral or topical antiviral medications. If a person's cold sores do not respond, the doctor may recommend IV treatment.

Can a cold sore go away in 3 days?

Cold sores take about 1 to 3 weeks to heal. The first time they appear, they can take up to 3 weeks to heal. But, when cold sores return, they usually take a week to heal if no medicines are used. Antiviral medications may help, but they need to be started before day 3 or 4 of the blister formation.

What heals cold sore scabs the fastest?

Here are a few tips for quick cold sore scab healing:.
Avoid picking or messing with the scab. ... .
Wash your hands often. ... .
Avoid citrus fruits or acidic foods like tomatoes or pineapple. ... .
Wear SPF and keep your lips hydrated. ... .
Eat healthy and drink plenty of water to help your body stay strong..