How Do I Get Rid of a Cold Sore Quickly?

According to MayoClinic.com, a cold sore is a small, painful blister that can occur on the lip, nostril, finger or chin. These cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, and if left untreated they generally will last anywhere from 10 days to two weeks. There are several treatments that can lessen the length and severity of the cold sore outbreak, including medications that are prescribed by a doctor and home remedies.

Things You'll Need

• Cold pack or ice cubes
• Witch hazel or aloe vera
• Petroleum jelly
• Over-the-counter medication containing Docosanol
• Antiviral prescription medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Apply a cold pack or ice cubes to the affected area. This can help relieve the painful symptoms associated with cold sores as well as slow down the outbreak's progression.

• 2

  Avoid eating salty and acidic foods such as products that contain vinegar and tomatoes. These types of foods increase your body's acidity, so avoid them to lessen the outbreak's severity.

• 3

  Apply witch hazel or aloe vera gel directly to the cold sore to help speed up the healing process. After the application, wash your hands with warm water and soap, which will help prevent the spread of the virus that causes cold sores. These and other homeopathic remedies have not been scientifically tested, however, and are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

• 4

  Apply petroleum jelly or any other skin protectant to the affected area. These helps keep the skin moist and protect it from further irritation, which could negatively affect the outbreak.

• 5

  Apply an over-the-counter medication that contains docosanol. These products, such as Abreva, applied to the affected area daily can decrease the time required for the cold sores to heal, according to MedicineNet. This medication is generally applied five times a day until the cold sore has healed.

• 6

  Obtain a prescription for oral antiviral medications, such as acyclovir and famciclovir. These medications, according to MayoClinic.com, can shorten the outbreak's duration if taken when the first symptoms are noticed.