How to Reduce the Severity of a Cold Sore

Cold sores are blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that develop near the lips. Most people are exposed to HSV-1 by the time they reach adulthood, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Once you contract HSV-1, the virus stays dormant in nerve cells between outbreaks. Cold sores usually heal without treatment in seven to 10 days, but you can take steps to reduce the severity of the painful and unsightly blisters.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider using an over-the-counter antiviral cream containing docosanol. Docosanol can speed healing time and keep a cold sore from getting worse. Apply the medication as soon as you feel the tingling sensation that precedes a cold sore.

• 2

  Avoid touching or picking at a cold sore; this can slow healing and make the sore worse.

• 3

  Try using dietary supplements and natural products. Some research has shown lysine to be effective at reducing the frequency and severity of cold sore outbreaks, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can purchase lysine in pill form as a dietary supplement, or get it by eating fish, chicken, eggs and potatoes. Zinc may also be an effective treatment; it occurs naturally in high-protein foods, and it is also available as a dietary supplement or topical cream. Propolis, a resin made by bees, may speed healing when applied to a cold sore.

• 4

  Wrap ice in a washcloth and apply it to the cold sore to relieve pain and itching. A warm compress may also be effective, according to the Mayo Clinic.

• 5

  Talk to your doctor about prescription antiviral medications if you frequently get cold sores. A prescription antiviral cream, such as penciclovir, or oral medications can suppress the herpes virus and reduce the severity of cold sores.