How can i get fewer cold sores

Cold sores, or fever blisters, are small lesions that usually appear around or inside the mouth. They are symptoms of oral herpes. Learn more here. Herpes simplex is a very common virus that affects billions of people globally. It can cause sores around the mouth or on the genitals and surrounding….

Cold sores, or fever sores, can be painful and uncomfortable. Antiviral medication can help get rid of them, but some home remedies can also ease the….

What causes recurrent cold sores? Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Recurrent cold sores Risk factors Treatments Prevention Summary Cold sores can occur when a person contracts the herpes simplex virus, which causes small, fluid-filled blisters around the lips and in the mouth.

Why do cold sores keep coming back? Risk factors. Share on Pinterest A person can take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce any cold sore-related pain. Share on Pinterest Stress management may help reduce the frequency of cold sores. The following measures can reduce the likelihood of infecting others:. Call for Help. U niversity of W isconsin —Madison. Search Pages. When to contact a clinician Any patient with HSV infection who develops sores near the eye, red eye, or eye pain, should see a clinician immediately for an eye exam, or if you have a fever or concerns for other severe symptoms.

Burning, tingling, or itching around the lips or nose starting two to 21 days after exposure. Within 12 hours, small, red areas with fluid-filled blisters develop As blisters increase in size, they rupture and leak fluid. This stage is the most painful. After blisters rupture, they form a hard crust and the sore heals, leaving a red, tender site. General treatment measures Ice: apply ice for five to 10 minutes each hour during the tingle phase to numb the area and slow the development of the sore by decreasing the blood flow.

Apply a cold compress of an astringent solution, such as Domeboro solution available in pharmacies as a powder to dissolve in water , to help dry the sores, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. Prescription medication Antiviral pills are prescribed for frequent or severe outbreaks. Take as soon as tingling or burning begins and they may shorten the duration of the sore. Antiviral cream can be applied to the affected area as soon as pain or tingling begins, before the blister forms.

It is used to aid the healing process and decrease viral activity. People who have weakened immune systems are more likely than those with strong immune systems to have longer or more severe outbreaks of cold sores. HSV infection may be life-threatening in certain people who have weak immune systems. Anyone who is exposed to the herpes simplex virus HSV is at risk for developing cold sores. But many people have the virus and may never develop cold sores.

People who have weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for having more severe and longer-lasting outbreaks of cold sores. One form of HSV infection, called primary herpes stomatitis, is seen most often in children 1 to 3 years old. It can cause a high fever and blisters throughout the mouth, which can interfere with the ability to eat. It can be serious in children—they can get quite sick from this illness, although they usually recover without any long-term problems.

Your doctor can diagnose cold sores by asking questions to find out whether you've been exposed to the herpes simplex virus HSV and by examining you. No further testing is usually needed. Both virus types can cause lip and mouth sores herpes labialis and genital herpes if your skin comes into contact with either type.

If it is not clear that you have cold sores, herpes tests may be done. The doctor takes a sample of fluid from a sore and has it tested. Having the sample taken is usually not uncomfortable even if the sore is tender or painful.

There is no cure for cold sores, nor is there a cure for the herpes simplex virus HSV that causes them. Most cold sores will go away on their own.

But medicines may slightly reduce the duration of cold sores and sometimes prevent a future outbreak. Treatment with medicines depends on whether you are having a first outbreak or a recurrent outbreak or are trying to prevent future outbreaks.

When treating a first outbreak of cold sores, oral antiviral medicines may reduce pain and slightly improve healing time. For treatment of recurrent cold sores, the following medicines may reduce the severity and duration of the outbreak: footnote 1. Oral antivirals may also be taken daily to prevent recurring cold sores, especially in people who have frequent and painful outbreaks.

If you have a weakened immune system and develop cold sores, you may need medicines to control your symptoms or daily doses to prevent outbreaks. The first episode of cold sores can be so painful that you may have trouble eating, drinking, and sleeping.

A child who has a fever and many mouth sores may need to be encouraged to drink water and other fluids to prevent dehydration. Adults and older children who have a painful first episode of cold sores may sometimes need a prescription-strength medicated mouth rinse to reduce pain. Several complementary medicine treatments are available if you wish to try an alternative way to ease your symptoms. Although some people find relief from the symptoms by taking zinc or lysine there is little research to support this treatment.

Before you try a complementary treatment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the possible value and potential side effects. Most cold sores heal on their own. But you can manage your symptoms at home by:. Ask your doctor if you can take ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin or acetaminophen such as Tylenol to reduce pain. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18 because of its link to Reye syndrome , a serious but rare problem. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

You can reduce the frequency of cold sore outbreaks by taking the following steps:. These measures may help prevent the spread of cold sores in children:. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Find a great selection of lemon balm here. Applying a cool cloth to a cold sore is soothing. It removes crusty areas and helps reduce redness and inflammation. Your doctor may recommend a prescription antiviral to treat a cold sore. Most antivirals come in a tablet or topical cream form, and some are available in an injectable form.

They may be used to reduce the length of an acute outbreak or as a preventative to prevent new outbreaks. Stress and illness are two main triggers of cold sores. You can help avoid cold sore outbreaks by living a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating right and exercising regularly.

They can also be spread to others even when there are no symptoms. To avoid spreading the cold sore virus:. Once a cold sore begins, it must run its course. Most go away within a few weeks without treatment. Treating a cold sore as soon as symptoms start may reduce its severity and duration. The earlier you begin treatment, the better chance you have of containing the outbreak. Home remedies are often all it takes to manage a cold sore.

Talk to your doctor at the first sign of a cold sore to determine the best treatment for you.