How to make oral herpes go away faster

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

5 Tips to Get Rid of a Cold Sore Faster*

Patience may be a virtue but that’s little comfort when you want to get rid of a cold sore overnight. Unfortunately, you can’t get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours, but you can shorten cold sore healing time and cut down the duration of painful cold sore symptoms.

Just because there isn’t a cure for cold sores, doesn’t mean you have to suffer patiently until it clears up on its own. Here are 5 tips to get rid of a cold sore faster*.

ACT QUICKLY AND APPLY ABREVA

• An effective way to treat cold sores and help them heal faster is by applying Abreva Cream as soon as you feel that familiar tingle and/or see redness on or around your lip.
• Abreva starts to work immediately by soothing on contact and shortens the duration of pain, itching, burning, and tingling of cold sores.
• Abreva is clinically proven to shorten the healing time of a cold sore.

COOL THAT COLD SORE DOWN WITH A COLD COMPRESS

• Similar to using ice to relieve a painful sprain or injury, placing a cool, wet towel on a cold sore can help reduce pain, redness and swelling.
• Apply a cold compress 3 times a day for 10 minutes at a time to help it feel better.

TAKE AWAY THE PAIN

• There’s nothing to gain by toughing it out. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain and swelling, although this won’t get rid of the cold sore faster.

AVOID HOT BEVERAGES AND FOODS THAT ARE SALTY, SPICY, OR ACIDIC

• Do yourself a favor and steer clear of foods that are likely to irritate a cold sore. Things like pretzels, curry, hot sauce, or citrus fruits could aggravate your cold sore and make the pain worse.
• Tomatoes and citrus fruits like oranges contain acid that can irritate the skin.
• But many of these acidic fruits also contain Vitamin C that can boost your white blood cell count to fight off the infection.
• Instead, take a tablet containing Vitamin C to get your body’s defenders fighting the battle for you.

HANDS OFF

• Keep your hands off that cold sore. Resist the temptation to pick at it because you may prolong the healing process or make it more irritated.
• Remember, cold sores are contagious so if you accidently touch it, DO NOT touch any other body parts, especially your eyes.
• Be sure to wash your hands as soon as possible to avoid spreading it to another area or to somebody else.

SHOW YOUR LIPS SOME LOVE

Dry lips are more prone to cold sore outbreaks and make it easier to catch the virus that causes them. Find out how to keep lips moist.

The site is intended for Canadian Residents only. Haleon group of companies Consumer Healthcare ULC, Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 6L4. Trademarks owned or licensed by Haleon. ©2020-2022 Haleon or licensor.
To be sure this product is right for you always read and follow the label. *In clinical testing, Abreva is proven to reduce healing time of cold sores to median 4.1 days when used at the first sign of a cold sore. An untreated cold sore can last approximately 8-10 days.

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