1. Choose From a Range of Antiviral Treatments
Your most effective line of defense against cold sores will come from prescription antiviral drugs designed to speed the lesions' healing. Expect your doctor to prescribe orally ingested medications for severe or initial outbreaks and topical ointments to handle milder or recurrent cases. You'll be directed to apply most topical prescription ointments several times throughout the day, and some of them can speed the healing of cold sores by as much as two days. The compounds commonly prescribed to patients looking to cure cold sores include penciclovir, acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. Some antivirals are now available over the counter, such as docosanol (sold under the brand name Abreva). Suppression therapy is recommended for individuals who suffer from constant outbreaks, such as those associated with the herpes virus. If you fall into this category, you'll be prescribed drugs to take on a daily basis, regardless of whether or not you have any symptoms, to stop your outbreaks before they start.
2. Ease Discomfort With Topical Creams
You won't be able to cure or even speed healing using most over-the-counter topical creams, but they can provide your skin with some relief. Cold sores can be painful and irritating, causing skin dehydration and breakage. You can manage these secondary symptoms by applying a soothing topical lotion, such as aloe or a vitamin-enriched moisturizer.
3. Take a Pain Reliever
Cold sores often have a dull throb, which you can manage in several ways. The easiest is to take an over-the-counter pain-relieving drug. However, it's essential that you follow all dosage directions carefully and avoid giving aspirin to children because of the danger posed by Reye's syndrome, a rare but very serious complication. As an alternative to oral analgesics, you can treat the pain using ice and heat. These compounds will numb the pain and reduce your swelling, but be careful not to irritate or break the skin when you bring these compounds in contact with the blister.
4. Don't Touch It
Keep your hands off the sore itself, and avoid picking at it or touching it in any way. Not only will you delay the healing process if you irritate the site, but you'll also risk spreading the virus to other parts of your body or face. Since you may inadvertently touch the cold sore during sleep, wash your hands when you wake up in the morning.
