How to Stop a Cold Sore Before it Gets Big

Anyone who has dealt with a cold sore before knows that without proper care, a cold sore can quickly grow out of control. These itchy little blisters, caused by the herpes simplex virus, can become a huge distraction. The sooner you recognize the early sensations of a cold sore outbreak, the sooner you can treat the sore and keep it from getting big.

Things You'll Need

• Ice
• Lysine supplements
• Vitamin C
• Abreva

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply ice to your lip as soon as you feel the itchy or tingling sensation that lets you know you are about to have a cold sore outbreak. Ice numbs the discomfort of the tingling and can sometimes keep the sore from breaking past your skin. Even if you already have the beginnings of a sore, press ice to the sore. This will help slow down the replication of the virus.

• 2

  Take between 2,000 and 3,000 milligrams of lysine every day with a meal and a full glass of water until the sore heals. Lysine blocks the virus as it tries to grow larger.

• 3

  Take a vitamin C supplement daily until the sore heals. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system, which can rally against the cold sore.

• 4

  Apply the topical over-the-counter cream Abreva to the sore, following the instructions. Abreva is the only non-prescription, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cream available that will shorten the time needed to heal from a cold sore. The frequent application of Abreva will help shrink the sore faster.