Cold sores are the worst, man. They just pop up on your lip or around your mouth when you least expect and make you look all weird and feel super uncomfortable. Nobody wanna hang out with a lip full of sores, right? So if you wanna know the fastest way to get rid of a cold sore, well, I got some tips but no promises cause cold sores are stubborn as hell.
What is a cold sore anyway?
So cold sores are caused by this herpes simplex virus (usually type 1) which lives in your body forever once you get it. It just stays chillin until something like stress, getting sick, too much sun, or being tired makes it come back. That’s when you get those annoying blisters on your lips.
Fastest way to get rid of cold sores
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Start treatment ASAP
If you wanna get rid of it fast you gotta start treating it as soon as you feel that tingling or itching before the sore even pops out. Once it’s full blown, it’s harder to stop.
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Use antiviral cream
Get some antiviral cream like Abreva or something with docosanol and slap it on fast. It helps if you use it within 12 hours of feeling the tingle. It can cut the healing time down a bit.
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Antiviral pills
If you get cold sores a lot or they’re bad, go see a doc and maybe get some antiviral pills like acyclovir or valacyclovir. Those can help a lot but gotta take them early too.
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Keep it clean and dry
Don’t go picking or scratching! Clean it gently and keep it dry. Wet sores take longer to heal.
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Pain relief
Cold sores hurt like crazy sometimes, so take some ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you need. You can also use numbing creams with lidocaine to stop the burning.
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Cold compress
Put some ice or cold cloth on it for a few minutes to reduce swelling and pain.
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Avoid triggers
Try not to get stressed or out in the sun too much cause those things make cold sores worse.
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Don’t share stuff
Cold sores are contagious so don’t share lip balm, towels, or cups until it’s healed.
Stuff that don’t really work
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Popping the sore will only make it worse and spread the virus.
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Antibiotics do NOTHING cause it’s a virus not bacteria.
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Random home remedies sometimes do nothing or even irritate the sore.
How long does it take to heal?
Usually cold sores heal by themselves in like 7 to 10 days, but if you treat early you might cut a day or two off that. But honestly sometimes they just stick around and suck.
When to see a doctor?
If you get cold sores all the time, or if it lasts more than 2 weeks, or if you’re sick or have weak immune system, you should see a doctor. Also see a doc if the sore spreads to your eyes or other weird places.
Final thoughts
There’s no magic way to make cold sores go away overnight, but starting treatment early, keeping clean, and managing pain is the fastest way to deal with them. Don’t pick at them or you’ll just make it worse. Hope you get rid of your cold sore fast!