The Secret of Great Health Care
Free Ebook Chapter on Cold Sores Cold sores are characterized by: If there are ulcers near or on the border of the red part of the lip, and they have come back on a couple of occasions in the same location, this is probably a cold sore. This is in contrast to canker sores, which often occur at different places in the oral cavity. Cold sores are contagious. Do not kiss someone with a cold sore. The virus can live on the hand. So if you are applying medication to a child – wear a glove and wash your hands afterwards. Cold sores reoccur and are often brought on by fever, stress or sunlight. The virus lives in the body and cannot be cured. Those with bad cases can have the number of flares reduced with the regular use of antiviral medications.
Unlike canker sores, cold sores have a well-known cause – a virus. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for most cases of cold sores.
Treatments
For comfort, treatment is similar to the treatment for canker sores. Since a virus causes it, the medications used to treat the condition are different. There are multiple over-the-counter and multiple prescription drugs that can treat cold sores.
See the list of over-the-counter products listed on the table below.
Abreva – reduces pain and speeds healing. It is dabbed on five times a day. It has been shown to shorten healing time and symptoms duration. It is best applied when there is tingling before a lesion develops. This product is most efficacious in the treatment of cold sores of any over-the-counter medication.
Some products are helpful to relieve pain such as Anbesol cold therapy. While these products may speed healing and help reduce pain, more research is needed before that can be proven as the best available therapy.
Newer products that contains benzalkonium chloride is hyped as very helpful, but it only contains an antiseptic agent and is likely not that effective.
To purchase products discussed in this chapter visit The Drug Store.
Prescriptions
Antiviral medications – topical and oral – may be needed in some situation. Oral medications are very likely to be beneficial in treating cold sores. If the pills are taken just as the symptom start they will shorten the time symptoms are present. Topical agents are not as effective as oral agents, but may cut down on pain or symptoms. Oral medications are the gold standard treatment. Antiviral medications used in the treatment of cold sores Oral medications are used in those over the age of 18-years old. For a natural product to treat cold sores in three 3 days, check out Cold Sore Freedom in Three Days.
|
Brand Name |
Medication |
Age |
Note |
|
Cold Sore |
|||
|
Abreva |
Docosanol 10% cream |
12 and older |
Use on face or lips, shortens healing time and duration of pain, burning, tingling or itching |
|
Viroxyn |
Benzalkonium chloride |
3 and older |
One treatment |
|
Releev |
Benzalkonium chloride |
Apply 3-4 times over a one day period at the first sign of an outbreak |
|
|
Herpecin L |
Dimethicone 1%, meradimate 5%, octinoxate 7.5%, plus sunscreen |
12 and older |
Apply at first sign of cold sore rub in gently and as often as needed |
|
Anbesol cold sore therapy |
Allantoin 15, Benzocaine 20%, Camphor 3%, White petrolatum 64.9% |
2 and older |
Apply to cold sore 3-4 times a day |
|
Nexcare |
Benzocaine 5% and Allantoin 1% |
2 and older |
Apply to affected area at first sign of a cold sore no more than 3-4 times a day |
|
Canker Sore |
|||
|
Canker – X |
Polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium hyaluronate and aloe vera |
Apply 1-2 drops of the gel to the sore with a cotton swab, helps heal and provides pain relief |
|
|
Canker cover |
Menthol 2.5 mg |
5 and older |
Place patch on the sore and hold in place for 20 seconds, last 8-12 hours. |
|
Anbesol |
Benzocaine 20% |
2 and older |
Apply to painful area up to 4 times a day |
|
Canker Sore – red cross |
Benzocaine 20% |
2 and older |
Use up to 4 times a day |
