Cold sores are small blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus. They are itchy, painful, irritating and unattractive. Cold sores---also knows as fever blisters---usually heal on their own within a week, but sometimes you need to cure them fast. You can do so if you act at the first sign of tingling or itchiness. The sooner you take action, the better chance you have of curing a cold sore in just a day.
Step 1
Wash your hands and mouth with antibacterial soap and cool water. If you're out of reach of a sink, use hand sanitizer. It's too harsh to use on the face every day, but in an emergency, the alcohol in the sanitizer will help short-circuit the cold sore.
Step 2
Apply ice to the tingling spot immediately. Cold sores love warm, moist environments. Move the ice around; don't leave it sitting on one spot.
Step 3
Put a few drops of isopropyl alcohol or salicylic acid on a clean cotton swab and rub it into the cold sore. This will be painful if the cold sore has already blistered, but it can dry up cold sores quickly. Repeat at least once an hour, with a fresh cotton swab. Salicylic acid is in many over-the-counter cold sore treatments because it causes skin to shed dead cells more quickly.
Step 4
Swipe a clean cotton swab across the top of a new tube or tin of medicated lip balm and apply it to your cold sore. Lip balm will keep the skin from splitting as the cold sore dries up. Don't use your fingers or apply the lip balm directly to the sore.
Tips and Warnings
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with a cold sore. See your doctor for an oral medication or prescription ointment if you have frequent cold sore outbreaks.
- Don't kiss anyone or share eating utensils or drinking glasses when you have a cold sore.
Things You'll Need
- Antibacterial soap
- Cool water
- Hand sanitizer (optional)
- Ice
- Isopropyl alcohol or salicylic acid
- Cotton swabs
- Medicated lip balm
