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Cold Sores Treatments

Treatment

Cold sores will usually heal within 7-10 days. Treatments for blisters on the lips, mouth, or skin include:

  • Putting ice on blisters to lessen pain and promote healing
  • Not rubbing or scratching blisters
  • Nonprescription pain relief drugs to lessen pain and discomfort
  • Nonprescription cold sore/fever blister cremes and ointments to lessen pain
  • Antibiotic drugs if the blister becomes infected by bacteria
  • Antiviral cream or ointment, although the evidence for its effectiveness is not strong
  • Oral antiviral medications may be given the moment you feel a cold sore coming on or could be taken on a regular basis to suppress frequent outbreaks. To decrease discomfort and help cold sores go away more quickly, you may be given one of the following:

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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