Tips For Coldsores

Feb 13, 2013

Sophie M.

Hi,
I have a Coldsore! :-( any tips to make it go away faster?

Feb 13, 2013

Emily W.

Abreva (over-the-counter medication) can lessen the duration/severity. Keep it clean and don't expose it to a lot of UV rays (sun, tanning) because it will scar. If you want to cover it with makeup, Abreva has a new patch that goes over it (I haven't tried yet so I don't know if it works). Some people say that ice cubes or cold compresses make them go away, but I think it just helps alleviate the blistering stage. I tend not to add any other topical products because it can get inflamed or infected with a secondary bacterial infection (the sores are technically an open wound).

If you get cold sores frequently, your doctor/dermatologist can prescribe Valtrex (generic is Valcyclovir) to ward off outbreaks.

Feb 13, 2013

Emily W.

Oh and one more thing: No matter how itchy it is, do NOT scratch it, pick the scab, or otherwise mess with it. It will take much longer to heal and will look much worse during that period. Also picking can cause scarring. Be careful. :)

Feb 14, 2013

Charlotte E.

Cold aloe vera gel and sudacrem. Zorivax is a good one, expensive though. Gotta get to them as soon as you feel the tingle.

Feb 14, 2013

Bianca O.

I just had one I used abreva at night because I hate going to work with the white formula on my lip lol so Durning the day I put Vaseline lip therapy and it was gone in less than a week :-)

Feb 14, 2013

Amy O.

My moms a nurse. She tells me to put alcohol on a q tip and hold it there for 5 minutes. It will look swollen and by morning it will be smaller and able to be covered by makeup or even gone. Repeat this every day or as much as you want until its gone.

Feb 14, 2013

Hannah R.

I used to get them all the time and they were big. I've tried everything under the sun. Best advice, don't touch them or put anything on them at all. Just leave them to heal. The more I messed with mine, the longer they stuck around. Promise! As I've gotten older, I get them much less now. Only a couple times a year and you hardly notice them. Something to look forward to.

Feb 14, 2013

Kelsi Z.

Abreva works great. Apply ice on cold sore to keep it from getting big. Before you go to bed apply tooth paste to it. Paste not gel, and when it starts to dry up use carmax.

Feb 14, 2013

Amy H.

Abreva is great, also there's these like kind of band aid things I guess you could call them but there clear and you can put makeup over it. I never tried them but my friend did, you can get them at most drug stores but I forget the name of them. It also let the cold sore breath and has some kind of medicine on the inside. Most importantly DO NOT TOUCH IT!

Feb 14, 2013

Amy H.

I think the patch is bare a too now that I think of it but also use their cream to.

Feb 14, 2013

Amy H.

*abreva

Feb 14, 2013

Cathy H.

Blistex works well, they also do a fantastic lip moisturiser.

Feb 14, 2013

Sophie M.

Thanks guys!
have tried some of your tips and it gone down already! :)