There is little dispute that cold sores are painful and unpleasant to look at. By exploring various cold sore remedies and treatments, you will be able to determine what best fits your needs to heal quickly and effectively.
Types of Treatment
Cold sore treatments only help reduce their duration or relieve symptoms, so no product will actually get rid of your cold sore veyr quickly. The products that help with symptoms include over the counter topical creams, home remedies and prescription antiviral medication.
Over the Counter Products
Over the counter topical creams might help relieve symptoms such as itching and minimize appearance of the cold sore. Benzocaine is a mild local anesthetic and common active ingredient in cold sore creams; it will help relieve the itching and redness. Another option is Lidocaine, another type of mild anesthetic that can help reduce any pain caused by the cold sore.
Oral Medications
Oral medications help shorten the life of the cold sore, but Mayo Clinic warns the results tend to be modest at best. Oral antiviral medications such as Acyclovir or Valacyclovir will help reduce the spread and growth of the herpes virus causing the cold sore.
Alternative Medicine
Lysine is an amino acid commonly used to treat cold sores. It can be taken orally or applied directly to the skin. Lysine is in the vitamin/supplement section of most health stores.
Home Remedies
Home remedies include placing fresh lemon slices or apple cider vinegar on a beginning cold sore; the acid is supposed to help reduce the size and vitality of the sore.
