How do you get rid of cold sores?

How to get rid of cold sores

One of the main treatments for cold sores is the prescription medication valacyclovir, says Adigun. Valacyclovir is an oral medication that treats different herpes virus infections, including cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can treat cold sores with over-the-counter medication, an intravenous antiviral medication, or an oral medication prescribed by your doctor, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

How do I use valacyclovir?

The way that valacyclovir works is that it suppresses the replication of the virus, which makes it more difficult for the herpes simplex virus to cause a cold sore. There are a few different ways that this medication can be used; some people take it when they know they will be exposed to one of their triggers. The herpes simplex virus is dormant in the body until it is reactivated by a trigger, which can include stress, UV exposure, fever, or other common triggers. When the virus reactivates, it can cause an outbreak of cold sores. If a user takes valacyclovir when exposed to a trigger, the drug will suppress the virus's ability to spread.

When prodromal symptoms appear, such as "itching, burning, or tingling on the lip in the absence of anything burning it, tingling it, or itching it," some people will take valacyclovir. This is because taking the medication during the prodromal symptoms "stops the viral replication in its tracks." Other people choose to take the medication on a daily basis. This is an option for people who experience cold sores very persistently, according to Adigun.

How long does a cold sore usually take to clear up?

Adigun states that cold sores are painful and can seriously undermine a person's confidence. She clarifies that cold sores are extremely common and nothing to be ashamed of, and that for those who are reluctant to put themselves out there due to their cold sores, she offers words of comfort: "Let us get your cold sore treated, and you get right back out there." Untreated cold sores typically last two weeks, but if you take valacyclovir once an outbreak has already occurred, you can shorten the duration of the outbreak by a few days, according to Adigun.