Best For Early Relief: Zilactin Cold Sore Gel
- List price: around $11
- Dose: apply no more than 34 times per day
- Pro: this product has a more affordable price than some options
- Con: some reviewers mention difficulty removing the protective layer
This gel dries, forming an invisible protective layer over a cold sore. According to the manufacturers, the patented bioadhesive formula promotes healing.
People should not remove the film layer before they apply more product, as doing so may cause skin irritation.
The gel contains 10% benzyl alcohol, which may help relieve the pain of a cold sore for 6 hours.
As with the other products, a person should use this when they first notice symptoms of a cold sore.
- Pro: the company claims it is safe for both children and adults
- Con: does not contain any medicated ingredients
The company states that while it has designed this product for children, it is also suitable for adults. It is in chapstick form, so a person can easily carry it around and apply it as necessary.
The product does not contain medicated ingredients making it suitable for children. Most of the ingredients are certified organic. However, it contains beeswax, so it is not suitable for vegans.
The company recommends applying the product during early symptoms. The formula may tingle after application.
- Active ingredients: menthol 0.1% and L-lysine
- Dose: apply every 2 hours
- Pro: can moisturize lips as well as relieve pain from cold sores
- Con: contains beeswax, so not suitable for vegans
Details On Valtrex Indications For Use
Your healthcare provider may write you out a prescription for Valtrex to treat herpes manifestations. The drug is highly efficacious in the therapy of:
- Herpes simplex virus
- Severe Epstein-Barr virus symptoms
- Viral infections in people with the suppressed immune system due to chemotherapy or diseases.
Valtrex is a prodrug. This means that after getting to the human body, it is converted into acyclovir, and only then, the medication works to treat cold sores and other manifestations of herpes. The preparation acts by inhibiting the viral DNA replication. Besides, the metabolites of the active substance incorporate into the DNA of the virus, thus making it less active.
Who Should Consider Taking Suppressive Therapy
Continuous suppressive treatment is particularly useful for people who are experiencing frequent or troublesome episodes of genital herpes.
If you are constantly worried about having another bout of herpes, you may find that suppressive treatment allows you to be less focused on the herpes virus. This emotional break can provide you with time to adjust to living with this infection. You may also find professional support helpful.
If you know that stress triggers a recurrence and you are experiencing significant stress, or your outbreaks tend to occur during specific situations such as holidays, then a course of suppressive therapy may be appropriate on such occasions.
The use of antiviral medicines on a daily basis as suppressive therapy can help reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to a non-infected partner.
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Understand The Risks Of Using Our Cold Sore Service
Our medical team looks at the answers you give to our health questions to work out if you have cold sores. Well also look at your medical history to work out if its safe and appropriate to give you a prescription without meeting you in person.
Sometimes well make the wrong call
We use evidence-based guidelines to decide when its safe to give you a cold sore prescription, but theres 2 ways we can get it wrong. Theres a chance well give you a prescription when you dont actually have cold sores. If this happens youll take a medicine you dont need. Alternatively, we may think you dont have cold sores when actually you do. If this happens well mistakenly decline to give you a medicine you should take.
Were more likely to make the wrong diagnosis if this is your first cold sore outbreak. Thats why you shouldnt use Lemonaid if this is your very first cold sore.
Alternative cold sore treatments
You dont need to take the prescription cold sore medicines we offer because there are over-the-counter alternatives you can buy at the pharmacy. The over-the-counter alternatives are less effective, but also come with less risk of serious side-effects.
There are also prescription-strength cold sore treatments we dont prescribe such as creams – and you always have the option of getting a prescription for these from a doctor or nurse practitioner in person.
Youve also got the choice of not taking any medicine whatsoever for your cold sores.
When You Must Not Take Them
- Do not take Valtrex tablets if you have ever had an allergic reaction to valaciclovir, aciclovir or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe. They usually include some or all of the following: wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hay fever, lumpy rash or fainting.
- Do not take Valtrex tablets if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding, unless your doctor says you should.
- Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Valtrex tablets when pregnant and during breast-feeding.
- Do not take Valtrex tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack.
- If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
- Do not take Valtrex tablets if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
- If you are not sure whether you should be taking Valtrex, talk to your doctor.
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Best Products To Prevent A Cold Sore
Because sun exposure and sunburns can cause a flare-up, keeping your lips properly protected is essential, says Dr. Hooman Khorasani, Mount Sinai Health Systems chief of the Division of Dermatologic and Cosmetic Surgery. He suggests using a combination of Coola Lip Balm Sunscreen and EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen to cover all your bases. The Coola lip balm is SPF 30 and infused with antioxidant-rich ingredients like red-raspberry-seed oil, linseed-oil extract, buriti oil, and cocoa-seed extract to keep lips moisturized. And the EltaMD sunscreens lightweight formula contains zinc oxide and niacinamide to nourish and protect the skin.
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What Does Melatonin Do
Melatonin supplements often help people have a better nights sleep, adjust their sleep cycle, and feel more well-rested the following day. It can help improve quality of life for some people struggling with issues such as jetlag or people living with conditions such as delayed sleep-wake phase disorder, which causes severe trouble falling asleep and waking up at normal times. These supplements appear to be effective for many people, but not everyone will benefit from melatonin supplementation. If you are unsure about taking melatonin, speak with your healthcare provider or a pharmacist to help choose the best option for you.
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Treatment For Genital Herpes
There are three antiviral medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of genital herpes:
- Acyclovir: The oldest antiviral medication for herpes is acyclovir. It has been available since 1982 in a topical form and sold since 1985 in pill form. Acyclovir has been shown to be safe in persons who have used it continuously for as long as 10 years.
- Valacyclovir: A newer drug, valacyclovir, actually uses acyclovir as its active ingredient. This medication delivers acyclovir more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug, which has the advantage of taking the medication fewer times during the day.
- Famciclovir: Famciclovir uses penciclovir as its active ingredient to stop HSV from replicating. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.
Antiviral medication is commonly prescribed for patients having a first episode of genital herpes, but they can be used for recurrent episodes as well. There are two kinds of treatment regimens: episodic therapy and suppressive therapy.
What Are The Best Natural Remedies For Herpes
When experiencing a herpes outbreak, one of the most important things someone can do is keep the area clean, cool, and dry, since heat and dampness can irritate the sores. Maintaining a healthy immune system can go a long way too, according to Dr. Hayag. “A strong, healthy immune system can keep herpes under control, prevent outbreaks, and reduce the duration of symptoms,” she says. “Supplements like zinc, vitamin C, and echinacea are vital to increasing your immune function and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.” And when it comes to natural remedies, there are several that can provide much-needed relief.
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Treating Cold Sores With Valtrex
Cold sores typically start to heal on their own within about four to six days. Although, the first cold sore you get will likely last longer.
Most people dont require treatment for their cold sores, but, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication such as Valtrex. This may be because you get cold sores often or if youre at high risk of serious complications, such as from a weakened immune system.
To treat a cold sore, you take Valtrex on the day you notice a cold sore forming. Valtrex works by preventing the herpes virus from growing and spreading.
Your doctor may also prescribe Valtrex to help prevent future cold sores, which is an off-label use. In that case, you and your doctor would work together to create the best treatment plan for you.
Valtrex is an oral caplet. It comes in 500-milligram and 1-gram strengths. Its available as a brand-name product as well as a generic medication . The generic product is an oral tablet which comes in the same strengths.
Available By Prescription Or Over
- Antacids that neutralize stomach acid. Your doctor may include an antacid in your drug regimen. Antacids neutralize existing stomach acid and can provide rapid pain relief. Side effects can include constipation or diarrhea, depending on the main ingredients.
- Antacids can provide symptom relief, but generally arenât used to heal your ulcer.
- Medications that protect the lining of your stomach and small intestine. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications called cytoprotective agents that help protect the tissues that line your stomach and small intestine.
- Options include the prescription medications sucralfate and misoprostol .
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How To Treat Cold Sores
There are many that you can do at home to soothe the sting of a cold sore, such as:
Ice. You can numb the pain if you apply a cold compress to the sore. Donât put ice directly on your skin — that could damage it.
Pain relievers. When a cold sore really stings, you may get some relief from an over-the-counter painkiller like acetaminophen.
Over-the-counter creams. There are products available at the drugstore that can help reduce the pain of a cold sore or help keep the skin soft while it heals.
Prescription drugs. Because cold sores are caused by a virus, doctors may suggest an antiviral medication to help you heal more quickly. The antiviral drugs used to treat cold sores include acyclovir , valacyclovir , famciclovir , and penciclovir .
Sunscreen. Getting a sunburn may trigger a cold sore. Using sunscreen when youâre out in the sun may prevent it.
Aloe vera gel. The same gel used for sunburn may help a cold sore to heal. Lab research has shown the gel may help fight viruses, including herpes simplex.
Lysine. This supplement may be used sometimes to treat cold sores. It comes in a cream or in capsule form.
Propolis. This is a resin-like material made by bees from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees. It may be used like an ointment to treat cold sores.
Lemon balm. Some research has shown that lemon balm extract can help cold sores get better, too.
Tea tree oil. Some research has shown that this strong-smelling oil helps a cold sore heal more quickly.
How Can I Keep From Getting Cold Sores
HSV-1 isnt a big deal. But its a good idea to try to keep cold sores as far away as possible. If someone you know has a cold sore:
- Dont kiss him or her.
- Dont drink out of the same glass or use the same knife, fork, or spoon.
- Dont share towels, washcloths, or napkins.
If youve had cold sores before, it can be hard to tell what might make them come back. For some kids, too much stress, too much time in the sun, or getting sick can cause cold sores to reappear. Eating well, getting enough rest, and learning how to deal with stress are important things for any kid to do, especially a kid who is likely to get cold sores.
Putting on sunblock lip balm and sunscreen on the face before going out in the sun may help prevent cold sores from reappearing in kids who tend to get them.
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What Treatments Are There
Doctors may prescribe one of the following antiviral medications to help manage herpes symptoms. A person can also take steps at home to ease the symptoms.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
How Effective Is Herpes Medication
Antiviral herpes medication will not cure oral or genital herpes infections. However, suppressive therapy significantly ameliorates its symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that this treatment can reduce genital herpes outbreaks by 70%-80% in patients that frequently experience them.
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At Home Chlamydia Test Kits
You can try and find a home chlamydia test kit at a pharmacy store like CVS, Walmart, or Walgreens. Most of the time you will find that they do carry STI screening kits, but it may be hard to find a screening kit for the exact STD that you want to check for. So, you may go into a CVS and find they do carry some kits, but you may only find one that tests for HIV. Chlamydia is the highest among women and adolescents from ages 15-24. Although Chlamydia is the most widely common STD that is reported, its best to get tested for all the most common sexually transmitted diseases.
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Best For Reducing Redness And Scabs: Orajel Moisturelock Cold Sore Symptom Treatment
- Active ingredients: menthol, allantoin, benzocaine, and white petrolatum
- Dose: apply no more than 34 times per day
- Pro: can mask redness and soften scabs from cold sores
- Con: the manufacturers display a warning about the formula potentially causing methemoglobinemia
This treatment can help reduce the redness, scabs, itching, and dryness due to cold sores. In addition, it can help to heal chapped lips.
The company recommends blending the product into the lips until the green tint disappears. A person should not apply this cream more than 34 times per day.
The label warns that using this product risks a person developing methemoglobinemia, a condition where too little oxygen is in the bodys cells. The company states people should seek immediate medical attention if they experience skin discoloration, headaches, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue.
There is no cure for herpes and, therefore, no cure for cold sores. However, common cold sore treatments can reduce the symptoms and slightly speed up healing.
Effective cold sore creams may include:
A cold sore cream works best if a person applies it as soon as they notice any symptoms.
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Where Can I Get Medications For Herpes
The most common antiviral medications used to manage herpes simplex symptoms are available by prescription. If you have symptoms such as a cold sore or genital herpes, call your doctors office. They will first diagnose if you have herpes simplex. Then they will prescribe an appropriate medication to manage your symptoms.
Only docosanol is an antiviral medication available over the counter as a cream to manage oral symptoms such as cold sores or fever blisters.
If you have mild symptoms from a recurring oral herpes infection, you may be able to use nonprescription methods or some home remedies to manage your symptoms.
Examples include:
- pain relievers such ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain
- cold compress or ice to soothe burning or itching
- zinc oxide topical cream, which may help soothe itching or burning
Before trying over the counter medications or supplements, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms.
Best Cold Sore Patch: Compeed Cold Sore Patches
- List price: around $23 for 15 patches
- Active ingredients: salicylic acid and hydrocolloid-075 gel
- Dose: wear for 24 hours a day until the cold sore disappears
- Pro: patches are invisible and discreet
- Con: some reviewers state the new design of this product is not as efficient as the old design
Each small patch covers a cold sore and contains hydrocolloid-075 gel. According to , hydrocolloids can absorb excess liquid from the skin.
The manufacturers of these patches recommend applying a patch at the first symptom of a cold sore.
The patches are invisible, and reviewers report that they can reduce the appearance of cold sores. In addition, each patch acts like a shield to help prevent the virus from spreading.
- Pro: docosanol has Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of cold sores
- Con: people must apply this product 5 times per day for best results
This antiviral cream has FDA approval and contains 10% docosanol. This helps treat recurrent cold sores by stopping the herpes virus from entering surrounding cells. This helps protect the healthy area around the cold sore.
The manufacturer claims that if a person uses the cream at the first sign of a cold sore, the cream can heal the sore in as few as 2.5 days. However, the company acknowledges that the average healing time for someone using their product is 4.1 days.
The company says this white cream penetrates deep into the skin, is tasteless, and has no smell.
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