What are cold sores?
Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. Certain medications, home care and alternative therapies may help you get rid of cold sores fast.
Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. They are caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The sores aren’t dangerous but they are uncomfortable. You can also pass them to other people easily.
Learn more about cold sores and how to get rid of them fast.
Main symptoms
Cold sores are very common. They are caused by a virus that moves from person to person by touch. You don’t need to be showing symptoms to transmit the virus.
The sores themselves are the main symptom, though some people say they feel a tingling sensation before the sores appear.
The main signs of the virus that causes colds sores include:
- Mouth sores: HSV-1 causes painful sores around the mouth. They look like blisters at first. After a while, they burst and crust over. It can take a week to 10 days for the sores to clear up.
- Other sores: You can get sores that are like cold sores anywhere on your body. Like the sores on the mouth, they start as painful blisters then dry up and heal over time.
- Flu-like symptoms: During a cold sore outbreak, you might feel symptoms similar to a flu, such as fever, tiredness, or body aches
Main causes
Most cold sores are due to HSV-1, though HSV-2 causes some sores. The HSV-2 virus is the virus that causes genital herpes.
The virus first affects your skin then moves to your nerve cells. It never leaves your body, but your immune system can suppress it most of the time so that you don’t have constant sores.
You may get cold sores every once in a while for your whole life or you may only ever get one. The virus can stay dormant so that you never get another cold sore after the first outbreak.
If you do get outbreaks again, they may be related to other things that are going on in your life. Outbreaks can be triggered by other illnesses, sun exposure, menstrual periods, or stress.
Usually, the first outbreak of cold sores is the worst one. If you get them again, the cold sores won’t be as severe. You may feel a tingling in the spot where a sore is about to appear so you can begin treating it before it shows up.
Who can get cold sores?
Anyone can get cold sores, though people with weakened immune systems can be more susceptible to the virus that leads to cold sores. Many people get HSV-1 as babies or children from touching an adult who already has the virus.
Sexual contact is another common way of contracting herpes. Since the same virus that causes cold sores can cause sores in the genital area, you can get it from oral sex.
Diagnosis for cold sores
If you have an outbreak of sores, your doctor can examine them to make sure the HSV-1 actually causes them. They may take a swab from the sore to test it for the presence of the virus.
If you don’t have an outbreak at the time of your appointment, your doctor can order blood tests to diagnose herpes.
Treatments for cold sores
The virus that causes cold sores lives in your body for your entire life. There is no cure for it, though some medicines can reduce the likelihood of getting cold sores in the future {Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Cold Sores.”}. Some medicines can relieve the symptoms when you get cold sores.
Medications
If cold sores are a serious problem for you, you can talk to your doctor about a prescription. Several prescription antiviral medicines can decrease the severity and frequency of outbreaks. They also can help prevent you from spreading the virus to other people.
The medications are:
Home care
Some over-the-counter cold sore remedies help with symptoms and make the sore heal faster.
Try these methods for easing discomfort:
- Antiviral creams: Antiviral cold sore creams are available without a prescription. Products that contain docosanol or benzyl alcohol are helpful
- Ice: Sucking ice chips or using a cold compress can reduce pain
- Pain relievers: Topical pain relievers containing benzocaine, lidocaine, or dibucaine can reduce pain from sores. Over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen might also help
Avoid touching cold sores. Touching them, then touching other parts of your body or other people, can transfer the virus. If you do touch your cold sores, wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Alternative therapies
Some natural remedies may make cold sores feel better fast. Ask your doctor if any of these remedies might be helpful for you:
- Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is commonly used for injuries and sores
- Aloe vera gel: Aloe gels are used for sunburn and may relieve cold sore pain as well
- Lysine: This is a supplement that you can get in a cream or capsule form. It’s a protein that helps build collagen in the skin
- Kanuka honey: Bees in New Zealand produce medical-grade kanuka honey. Research shows it helps with cold sores {BMJ Open: “Kanuka honey versus aciclovir for the topical treatment of herpes simplex labialis: a randomised controlled trial.”}.
Possible side effects and complications
Cold sores are highly infectious. You can pass the virus that causes them to other people through skin contact. If you have cold sores or sores related to herpes anywhere on your body, avoid skin contact with others if there is a chance they may touch your sores. This includes kissing, sexual activity, and sharing cups or eating utensils.
The most significant concern with cold sores is if they are on your genitals during pregnancy. You can pass the virus to your baby, which can cause serious problems. Speak with your doctor if you or your partner have a history of cold sores.