Does anyone know the best way to treat a cold sore?
How Are Cold Sores Diagnosed and Treated? Cold sores normally go away on their own within 7 to 10 days. And although no medications can make the infection go away, there are prescription drugs and creams available that can shorten the length of the outbreak and make the cold sore less painful. If you have a cold sore, it’s important to see your doctor if: you have another health condition that has weakened your immune system the sores don’t heal by themselves within 7 to 10 days you get cold sores frequently To make yourself more comfortable when you have cold sores, you can apply ice or anything cool to the area. You also can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. What causes the virus to “wake up” or reactivate? The truth is, no one knows for sure. A person doesn’t necessarily have to have a cold to get a cold sore — they can be caused by other infections, fever, stress, sunburn, cold weather, hormone changes in menstruation or pregnancy
