How to Dry Up a Cold Sore

Cold sores can be embarrassing and painful. They begin with a tingling sensation on the lip, followed by a hard pimple-like bump. In a few days the bump turns into a blister which can last for a week to 10 days. Another term for a cold sore is a "fever blister." They are not the same thing as canker sores. According to the Mayo Clinic, cold sores cannot be prevented or cured, yet it is possible to limit their duration and frequency.

Things You'll Need

• Denavir cream

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Instructions

• 1

  Pay attention to changes on your lip, such as a tingling or bump developing. Successfully drying up a cold sore will partially depend on catching it during the early stages of development.

• 2

  Get a cold sore medication prescription, such as Denavir cream from your doctor. If applied in the first stages of a cold sore, Denavir cream can stop cold sore development by interfering with the growth of the herpes virus. The Mayo Clinic cautions that there may be some risks involved (see Resources).

• 3

  Follow the pharmacy's instructions on applying the medication.

• 4

  Apply a topical symptomatic medication such as benzyl alcohol or lidocaine, if you skip Step 2 and Step 3. According to the Mayo Clinic, this will help to relieve cold sore symptoms.