Talking To A Doctor About Cold Sores Has Never Been Easier
While cold sores arent a life-threatening illness, theyre certainly annoying. Sadly, they can be painful, too. If you want to fast-track your healing and reduce your suffering, then you should speak to a doctor.
Luckily, you dont even need to go to visit the doctor in person to get the care you deserve. Thanks to Carefree MD, you can talk to a doctor using your phone or computer at your convenience.
All you need to do is sign up for Carefree MD and experience the ease of unlimited access to a 24/7 doctor on call.
Simply activate your card for just $17.95/month and experience the ease of telemedicine from the comfort of your home.
Speak to a state-licensed physician about your symptoms, get prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy when medically necessary, and receive personalized advice on treatment options.
Get rid of your cold sore by signing up for aCarefree MD membership today!
The Carefree MD blog is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The text and pictures within the content are intended for information purposes only. Readers should consult with a licensed doctor or healthcare professional before seeking treatment.
The Carefree MD Card is not insurance and Carefree MD is not an insurance provider.
Does Hand Sanitiser Cause Warts
Hand sanitiser doesnt cause warts but it might irritate or dry out your skin if youre using a low-quality product. This might give the appearance of warts on the skin when really it is just dry chapped skin that is cracking or flaking off.
To avoid this its best to use a hand sanitiser with moisturing properties that keeps your hands in good condition.
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Whats The Best Thing To Put On A Cold Sore What Shouldnt You Use On One
While antiviral medication stops the spread of herpes virus in the body, topical ointments and creams can provide pain relief. Apply these directly to the cold sore as directed. Only use creams that are specifically for the lips or facial area.
You can also use lip balm, petroleum jelly, or a lip moisturizer to prevent dryness. In addition, apply a cool or warm compress a few times a day to reduce inflammation and remove crusting.
Dabbing rubbing alcohol on a cold sore can also dry it out and promote healing. But you shouldnt use this product if you experience burning.
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How Are Oral Herpes Simplex Virus Infections Treated
HSV infection sores normally heal on their own without scarring. You may need any of the following to help manage symptoms:
- Antiviral medicine: This decreases symptoms and shortens the amount of time blisters are present. You may also need to take it daily to prevent blisters. The medicine may be given as a liquid, pill, or ointment. Use as directed.
- Numbing medicine: This decreases mouth pain. It is usually given as a mouth rinse. Use it before you eat or drink, or as directed.
Prevent The Spread Of Herpes
If you have herpes, . Talk about what it is and what you and your partner need to know and do to protect themselves. Avoid skin-to-skin contact during outbreaks and refrain from all sexual activity during these times. In between outbreaks, you should still because there is still the potential of spreading the virus.
This is an update of an article originally written by HealthCentral contributor Penelope James.
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When Should I Apply Rubbing Alcohol To Fever Blisters
The ideal time to apply rubbing alcohol to your fever blisters is at the first sign of trouble. Noted as the prodromal/ tingle stage, the initial sensation that a cold sore outbreak is in the works is the best time to be proactive.
The reason that applying rubbing alcohol during the earliest symptom is essential is just due to the lack of pain. If you can apply treatment to the lip before a blister ever forms you will not have to worry about pain, infection, and general delicate application concerns.
To summarize
- Applying rubbing alcohol during the prodromal/ tingle stage is recommended for all forms of treatment. Classified as the earliest cold sore symptom, that first lip sensation is your cue to be proactive.
- This can eliminate pain. During the prodromal stage, your lip will be free of blisters. This can allow you to freely apply medication to the area and it eliminates any concerns of infection or compromising tender skin impacted by existing sores.
What Are Cold Sores Like
- First a small red patch appears
- A blister or cluster of blisters develops.
- The blister bursts, leaving a raw area.
- The raw area begins to heal and scab.
- Scabs may crack when you move your mouth and this will delay healing. Try to keep the skin moisturised see our self-help suggestions below, or try the lemon balm salve or cream .
- Do not pick at the scab this will delay healing.
- Wash your hands before and after applying cream.
- The sore will heal itself without scarring, usually in about 7-10 days.
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Can I Use Rubbing Alcohol For Genital Herpes Cure
We do not recommend using Rubbing Alcohol for herpes simplex or Genital herpes.
Remember, there is no cure for Genital Herpes though medicines can prevent or lessen its outbreak.
Once you have herpes, especially genital herpes, it is going to stay in your body forever.
Hence, no matter how much you believe the Rubbing Alcohol solvent, avoid using it for treating Genital Herpes.
It wont show any benefit but may cause you pain irritation and can even lead to alcohol poisoning in your body parts.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Cold Sores
A cold sore usually goes away on its own in about one to two weeks without treatment.
Although some cold sores dont require treatment, an over-the-counter or prescription antiviral can get rid of a cold sore sooner. These medicines dont cure the virus that causes a cold sore, nor do they provide overnight relief. Still, they can reduce the duration of a cold sore and the frequency of outbreaks.
Antivirals work best when taken at the first sign of a cold sore.
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How Are Cold Sores Caught And Passed On
You catch cold sores by being kissed by someone who has cold sore virus on their mouth. You might have caught it the other day or maybe when you were a child, perhaps by being kissed by a relative. Oral sex is also a common way of passing on cold sores from one persons mouth to another persons genitals or vice versa.
The virus can be caught on ordinary skin such as the hand/fingers if there is broken skin which can allow entry. It is called a whitlow on the fingers.
Cold sores are only caught by direct skin contact, with the affected area. They are not caught through sharing cups, cutlery, towels, lipstick, etc. . Experts are definite about this, though this fact is sometimes ignored by unreliable sources on the Internet and elsewhere.
You cannot give cold sores to someone who already gets them.
How Do You Cover Up A Cold Sore
Cold sores are sometimes noticeable to others. If you’re feeling self-conscious about a sore, a cold sore bandage is one option to conceal the sore until it heals, says Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who’s based in Pittsburgh.
These bandages are nonmedicated but use hydrocolloid technology to protect the sore from irritants. You can use bandages and treat your cold sore simultaneously.
Applying a natural lip color can also conceal a cold sore, as can heavy concealer or powder.
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What Useful Tips May Speed Up The Healing Process
Some people with cold sores on the face have told us that these ideas helped them but they have not been medically tested:
- Cold used tea-bags applied hourly can help.
- Geranium oil, tea tree oil diluted and lavender oil will soothe.
- Keep the skin soft and moist with an unscented product such as Vaseline to prevent scabs from cracking and coming off.
Does Alcohol Trigger Herpes
recurring cold sores if it is infected around the mouth during the initial infection. In spite of the fact that everyone is not sure why outbreaks occur, many scientists believe sunlight, physical illness, excess alcohol, and stress may be triggers. Usually they become less frequent as time goes on.
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Are There Any Adverse Side Effects
While effective, rubbing alcohol can present a series of risks. It is for this reason that you should apply extreme caution.
Although the drying out of a blister can lead to its expiration, that dryness can cause issues. Problems such as skin cracking can arise that can lead to infection. Additionally, if dryness takes place before the dissolving of the blister, viral spreading can occur.
Other complications include but are not limited to the following:
- Burning of the skin during the application process.
- Potential allergic reaction.
- If alcohol is applied during the scab stage, the entire area could crack. This could result in infection and immediate pain.
Some people apply perfume or aftershave to cold sores due to the alcohol content. The risk is perfume sensitivity.
When To See A Doctor
People who experience persistent or recurrent cold sores should consider seeing a doctor for treatment, especially if over-the-counter options do not provide effective relief. A doctor may be able to identify cold sore triggers and provide stronger treatments.
If a person has a weakened immune system or other underlying health issues, they should visit their doctor before trying OTC treatments. Such treatments may prove less effective than prescription medications, and the longer a person waits for effective treatment, the greater the likelihood of the cold sore worsening.
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about cold sores:
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Will Rubbing Alcohol Kill Cold Sores
Rubbing alcohol has the potential to heal cold sore quicker. This is because the alcohol will dry out the fluid-filled blister. It can promote faster healing, but there are dangers. It will clearly sting, but the main risk is that the drying effects of alcohol will cause the site to crack open. If the scab falls off prematurely, this could prolong the recovery time.
Applying rubbing alcohol to cold sores works best when used in conjunction with a quality skin moisturizer. Although alcohol is NOT as effective as the leading OTC cold sore medications, its drying qualities may reduce the time that it takes for a fever blister to go away completely.
It can be used in combination with other alternative treatments. Alcohol can be mixed with witch hazel or essential oils for cold sores, for example. You will find out more about this remedy and any safety concerns you might have, so read on to find out more.
Disinfecting Your Skin Surfaces And Fabric
In general, rubbing alcohol is a better option for your skin. This isnt necessarily because its more effective, but because hydrogen peroxide is too harsh to be used on your skin.
Both can be used effectively on hard surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, porcelain, stainless steel, and glass. However, repeated use of either substance can affect the finish of these surfaces. Its a good idea to check whether its safe to use the product before you apply it.
Rubbing alcohol can also be used to disinfect some fabrics, but youll want to avoid using it on anything thats synthetic or delicate. Using hydrogen peroxide on fabrics can cause yellowing.
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Mederma Cold Sore Discreet Healing Patch
Mederma Cold Sore Discreet Healing Patches are small gel patches people can apply to their skin from the first signs of a cold sore. The patches contain molecules called hydrocolloids that create a protective barrier on the skin. This promotes healing by preventing scratches and contamination and limiting the cold sore to one area.
An older 2008 study found that cold sore patches containing hydrocolloid may be effective and safe alternatives to topical antivirals when treating herpes simplex lesions.
The company says the patches are thin, making them easy to wear discreetly. They also state that the patches remain in place for up to 12 hours.
However, the company warns that people should not use the patches on infected wounds other than cold sores. They also recommend that the following people consult their doctor before using the patches:
- organic essential oils, including tea tree,eucalyptus, and lemongrass
The product promises to:
- relieve burning and stinging pain
- reduce cold sore recurrence
Most buyers rate this product highly, saying it helped prevent and shorten outbreaks, including those on the lips and back.
Unfortunately, essential oils can be very irritating or sensitizing, especially on sensitive skin areas, such as the face. A few buyers also say that the smell of the product is overwhelming.
The product costs around $22 and each bottle contains 0.37 ounces .
Can I Combine Rubbing Alcohol And Witch Hazel
The benefits of both rubbing alcohol and witch hazel can be combined to encourage faster healing. Long since used as a remedy to reduce swelling and inflammation, witch hazel can aid in the healing of cold sores.
Similar to alcohol, that witch hazel will dry out your fever blister. While this can lead to the diminishing of a sore, this can also present potential issues. Lack of moisture, lip cracking, and the potential for infection are just a few of the side effects. Keep this in mind before you decide to use witch hazel or combine it with rubbing alcohol.
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How Common Are Cold Sores
Cold sores are very common. In Britain, about seven in ten people have caught one of the viruses that cause them. Worldwide figures are similar. However, most dont know, as only one in three will notice any symptoms. Whichever herpes simplex type you have, you could catch the other type in the same place or elsewhere. Infection with a second type often goes unnoticed or the symptoms that appear may be very mild. This is because the antibodies that have developed to fight the first virus also help to control the other one.
Can You Use Rubbing Alcohol On Cold Sore
You probably have had cold sores multiple times by now. Cold sores are basically liquid-filled blisters, also known as fever blister, that develops around the mouth.
These painful blisters are common and usually go away on their own. However, there are times when cold sores become rigid, showing no traces of leaving. Especially when you have a major life event coming, cold sores can hamper your confidence.
But, some individuals claim that the best approach to treat cold sores is Rubbing Alcohol. Though does Rubbing Alcohol really treat cold sores? Come lets find out.
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Can Isopropyl Alcohol Kill Cold Sores
It wont happen instantly, but alcohol does have the ability to dry out your cold sores fast. It minimizes blister development and inhibits viral spreading when treated during the prodromal stage .
Although drying out a fever blister is not recommended, isopropyl alcohol is a workable solution for those who dont have any OTC meds available when they feel the onset of a cold sore.
While there are pitfalls when alcohol becomes your treatment of choice, shielding the area from infection should be your primary concern. One way you can protect the area from harm is to apply moisturizer to the blister or problem area. Because alcohol will dry out the area in a rather harsh fashion, returning moisture to the skin is critical if cracking is to be avoided.
By using cold sore chapstick or pure petroleum jelly, you can seal the blister area from cracks and avoid a bacterial infection. As noted, drying out a blister is not ideal and goes against most treatment objectives.
To summarize
Keeping Your Ears Clean
Do you use a Q-tip to clean your ears? This is extremely dangerous all youâre doing is pushing ear wax deeper into your ear canal. This can result in a buildup and, in extreme cases, a painful blowout. Instead of inserting a Q-tip into your ear, combine white vinegar and alcohol in a small container. Dip a Q-tip in your homemade solution and gently insert it into your ear. Allow the solution to do its work without interfering with it or moving it around. The solution will naturally clean your ear of wax. After that, simply dip the other end in water and gently clean it out!
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Keep Antiviral Medications On Hand
People who frequently experience cold sores should have medications on hand to begin using them at the earliest possible stage of an outbreak.
Cold sores respond to medications called antivirals, which work by stopping the herpes virus from replicating. Using the medication as soon as symptoms develop can stop the cold sore from developing or reduce its size and healing time.
Antiviral medications are only available via prescription. Cold sore antivirals are available in two different forms:
- topical medication that a person applies directly to the affected area
- oral medications that a person takes by mouth
Most people tolerate antivirals well. However, these medications are not suitable for certain individuals. A person should discuss treatments potential benefits and risks with their doctor.