How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore as Fast as Possible

However, full-strength apple cider vinegar is too intense to use directly on a cold sore and could seriously irritate your skin. Be sure to dilute it before using, and then apply only once or twice per day.

How Can I Get Rid of Cold Sores Quickly?

They’re painful. They’re unsightly. They’re annoying. Cold sores (aka fever blisters) are just plain unwelcome. When one pops up on your lip or mouth, you probably immediately think: What’s the fastest way to get rid of this thing?

“Herpes simplex virus — the virus that causes cold sores — is incredibly contagious, and infection with the virus is really common,” says Dr. Donald Brown, primary care practitioner at Houston Methodist. “In fact, more than 50% of adults in the U.S. are infected with the type of herpes virus that most commonly causes cold sores. Interestingly, however, most people who contract the virus never actually develop symptoms.”

If the virus does cause cold sores, it can spread from person-to-person through close contact, like kissing. But, while you may not know it, the virus can also spread by sharing:

• Cosmetics
• Food and drink
• Lip balm
• Razors
• Toothbrushes
• Towels
• Utensils and drinking glasses

“The virus is most contagious when a cold sore is present, particularly when the blister begins to ooze,” Dr. Brown adds. “However, it’s important to know that you can still spread the virus long after a cold sore heals — as well as when a blister isn’t even present.”

For those who are no stranger to those painful, fluid-filled blisters, when you get a cold sore, you probably want it gone — fast.

What are the best ways to get rid of a cold sore?

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for cold sores, and it can take between two to four weeks for a cold sore to heal on its own. But, there are things you can do to make them go away faster.

Here are three things that can help soothe a cold sore or make it clear up faster:

1. Try home remedies. When used early, there are several remedies that can help ease the pain and reduce swelling — and may even shorten the duration of a cold sore:

• Cold, damp washcloth
• Ice or cold compress
• Petroleum jelly
• Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen

2. Apply topical creams and ointments. There are a few over-the-counter anesthetic ointments and creams that can help control pain, such as lidocaine or benzocaine. Some products, such as those containing docosanol or benzyl alcohol, may even promote faster healing when used early and in plentiful amounts.

3. Take prescription medications. There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you’re having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication.

“To get rid of a cold sore quickly, the best thing you can do is start treating it as soon as possible,” says Dr. Brown. “A burning or tingling sensation on your lips or face can be an early warning sign that a cold sore is developing, and the earlier you start reducing swelling and treating the cold sore, the faster it will heal.”

How can I stop cold sores from forming?

So you nipped your last cold sore flare-up in the bud (like a champ), and it lasted less than a week — but here you are, just a few months later, and the cold sores are back. There’s good news, and then there’s bad news. Let’s start with the bad news.

“Once a person is infected with herpes simplex virus, he or she is infected for life,” says Dr. Brown. “After a cold sore heals, the virus isn’t actually cleared from your body. Instead, the virus travels back into your nerves, where it can lie dormant for long periods of time. When the virus reemerges, it typically does so in the same spot as before.”

So what triggers the virus to reactivate and cause a flare-up?

Dr. Brown says that a cold sore outbreak can be triggered by:

• Fever
• Illness, including a cold
• Menstruation
• Stress
• Sunlight
• Weakened immune system

But, here’s the good news. While there’s not much you can do about some of these triggers, others can be avoided.

“Stress can weaken your immune system, which may be a trigger for cold sores to reemerge. If you suffer from cold sores and think they may be caused by stress, it’s a good idea to manage your stress via mediation or other relaxation techniques,” suggests Dr. Brown. “If you’ve noticed that your flare-ups are linked to sunlight, be sure to apply sunscreen or sun-protective lip balm before going out in the sun.”

How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore as Fast as Possible

You may call them cold sores or fever blisters. Whichever name you prefer, these sores tend to develop on the lip or around the mouth.

They are caused by the herpes simplex virus — usually, type 1. Also known as HSV-1, the virus causes these blisters, or ulcers, which can be painful.

There’s nothing to be embarrassed about if you notice one near your mouth. Lots of people get cold sores. Chances are, you know someone who’s had one before, or maybe you’ve had one, too.

HSV-1 is the most commonly recurring viral infection. In fact, more than half of all Americans between ages 14 and 49 carry this virus.

Cold sores typically clear up within 10 days in people with healthy immune systems and no other underlying health conditions, like eczema.

Unfortunately, nothing can clear up a cold sore overnight — but some medications and treatments can shorten the life span of a cold sore and make you feel better, too.

One of the most important things to remember about treating a cold sore: Don’t wait. Start treating it right away, and you may be able to reduce the time you have it. When you notice that telltale tingle, go ahead and start applying a topical antiviral medication to the spot.

Where to start

Consider using an over-the-counter (OTC) antiviral ointment. You may have seen tubes of docosanol (Abreva) at your local drugstore. Many people start with this common OTC option and use it until their cold sores have healed.

With this product, healing times may be comparable to other treatments, according to research from 2001.

Prescription options

An OTC topical cream isn’t your only option. You can also try prescription antiviral medication. Talk with your doctor to see if one of these might be a good option for you:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax): available in oral form and as a topical cream
• Famciclovir: available as an oral medication
• Penciclovir (Denavir): available as a cream
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex): available as a tablet

Experts strongly suggest taking or using these medications as early as you can to speed up the healing cycle. When your cold sore begins to crust over and form a scab, you might also try applying a moisturizing cream.

You should note that while applying treatments may help quicken healing time, it may only be a slight increase.

A 2018 review found that acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol were only “marginally” more efficient at treating cold sores than a placebo, shortening participants’ pain duration by fewer than 24 hours.

If you’re interested in a complementary approach for healing a cold sore, you have several options to choose from.

However, you should know that there is insufficient data to support the routine use of these complementary therapies in treating cold sores. You should discuss them with your doctor before use, and they shouldn’t replace more conventional treatments.

Use caution when applying any new substances to your skin. Reactions like irritation and allergic contact dermatitis have been known to occur from some of these treatments.

For example, it’s well-known that propolis, which is mentioned below, can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some individuals. Before using this treatment, it may be best to discuss it with your dermatologist first.

You may also want to test it on a small area of skin, such as the inner forearm, to see how you react before applying it elsewhere. This is called a patch test.

Apple cider vinegar

Many people are interested in using apple cider vinegar as a treatment because of its proposed ability to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other germs, according to 2019 research .

However, full-strength apple cider vinegar is too intense to use directly on a cold sore and could seriously irritate your skin. Be sure to dilute it before using, and then apply only once or twice per day.

Essential oils

Studies have found that a variety of essential oils — which are concentrated oils containing plant compounds — have inhibitory effects against the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores.

Although research is limited, a study from 2015 found that a variety of essential oils may slow down or prevent viral replication of the herpes virus, helping heal and prevent cold sores.

According to that study and another older study from 2007, the following essential oils show antiviral effects against the herpes virus:

• rosemary essential oil
• peppermint oil
• tea tree oil
• clove essential oil
• cinnamon essential oil
• basil essential oil
• ginger essential oil
• thyme essential oil
• hyssop essential oil
• sandalwood essential oil
• Zataria multiflora essential oil
• Eucalyptus caesia essential oil
• Artemisia kermanensis essential oil

Unfortunately, much of the research on essential oils and HSV-1 is outdated. A 2001 study found that tea tree oil displays some antiviral effects that could help fight off the herpes simplex virus, while another lab study from 2003 shows that peppermint oil is effective in fighting off both the HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

A 2007 study suggests that ginger, thyme, hyssop, and sandalwood essential oils could even be effective treatments for drug-resistant versions of the virus.

Notably, these studies have limitations, and evidence may be anecdotal. Both studies used herpes cells from monkeys, not humans. Plus, they were conducted in vitro, which means in a test tube or culture dish.

More research is needed to confirm the extent of these oil’s antiviral effects in humans.

As with apple cider vinegar, you’ll want to dilute any essential oils in a carrier oil before dabbing on your skin, and apply as soon as you feel the tingle of a developing cold sore.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

Kanuka honey

Honey already has a reputation for helping wounds and skin injuries heal, and a 2018 study found that kanuka honey, which comes from the manuka tree in New Zealand, could be useful for treating cold sores, too.

In fact, the large randomized clinical trial found that a medical-grade version of this honey seemed to be as effective at treating cold sores as acyclovir.

Propolis

Like honey, propolis is another bee product that holds some promise for healing wounds and skin lesions. The antiviral properties of propolis could make it a candidate for healing your cold sores a little more quickly, 2016 research suggests.

Lemon balm

The research is dated, but a 2008 study suggests that applying an extract of lemon balm, which is an herb from the mint family, has an inhibitory effect against the HSV virus that causes cold sores. The study’s authors suggest that lemon balm could be used to treat HSV, but note that more clinical trials are needed.

A 2020 case report found that applying a gel containing lemon balm as well as St. John’s Wort, lavender, licorice, and Siberian ginseng worked as an effective and rapid-acting alternative to OTC cold sore medications.

However, larger-scale studies are needed to determine the extent of this treatment’s therapeutic benefits.

Lemon balm is also available in capsule form and is used for a variety of other therapeutic purposes, according to a 2015 research review.

Lysine

Per a 2017 review , studies have shown that people taking lysine were less likely to experience recurrences of cold sores. However, these studies have limits, and some of the evidence is contradictory.

For example, no optimal dose or even particular type of preparation of lysine was recommended. However, doses greater than 3 grams per day appear to improve the patient’s “subjective experience” of the disease.

Also, research from 2015 suggests that using lysine won’t prevent the occurrence of a cold sore, but it doesn’t hurt to try.

This essential amino acid is available as an oral supplement or a cream.

It’s important to know that OTC oral supplements, including lysine, are poorly regulated by the FDA. Before taking any oral supplement, you should first discuss it with a healthcare professional. Some supplements can be contaminated with active pharmaceuticals that may be harmful to you, 2018 research shows.