Many people tend to ignore cold sores as a health issue that will soon go away. While this is true, it is crucial that you seek medical advice when the symptoms first appear. It is also essential to take cold sore medications and the proper precautions to contain the condition.

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are unsightly, painful blisters and sores that appear on the lips and around the corners of the mouth. They are caused by the aggressive herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and are impossible to prevent. Since it is highly contagious, the HSV-1 virus spreads through oral and skin contact. In addition to causing cold sore blisters around the mouth, the virus can also infect the private parts and lead to genital herpes.

What can you do to treat cold sores?

Although it is impossible to cure HSV-1 infections completely, you can control the condition to an extent with cold sore medications. There are several treatment options to hasten the healing process of existing cold sores and prevent new ones.

Since the cold sores can transmit easily from person to person via close contact, it is essential to take some common precautions. For instance, maintain good personal hygiene and avoid close contact with too many people if your immune system is weak. Be particularly vigilant about safeguarding babies, children, elderly people, cancer sufferers, AIDS patients, and people with other chronic conditions.

What are the types of cold sore medications?

Before treating cold sores, it is essential to see a qualified doctor and get the condition accurately diagnosed. You especially want to do this if your immune system is weak and you have aleasdy suffered from immune system-related health problems. The antiviral medication that the doctor prescribes ought to clear up the condition in a few days or a week. If the infection persists beyond ten days or starts to irritate your eyes, you may need to revisit the doctor and get stronger cold sore medications.

You can also try over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. These can reduce pain, heal cracked or blistered skin, and soften dry or scabbed skin.

You may need to take the prescription and over-the-counter pills, creams, and gels several times a day, depending on the severity of the condition and any immune issues you already have. That may reduce the frequency of cold sore flare-ups.

When to seek medical advice?

It is essential to seek professional medical advice if you have developed multiple cold sores. You also want to see a doctor if the sores are painful and the flare-ups are frequent and long-lasting. And medical advice is crucial if the sores start spreading to other areas of your body such as to your genitals or hands.

You will benefit from taking cold sore medications if you have cold sores and also suffer from other health issues like cancer, psoriasis, eczema, and HIV. The medications are also effective against the side effects of chemotherapy.

Types of medications

Some of the antiviral drugs that doctors prescribe for cold sores include acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, and penciclovir. These medications are available as pills, liquids, and topical creams. Depending on what the doctor prescribes for your symptoms and type of infection, you may have to take or apply these medications two to five times a day to get rid of the cold sores. If your immune system is weak, the doctor will prescribe a higher dose. However, if you have weak kidneys, you will need to take a low dose.

It is important to inform the doctor beforehand if you tried any of these medications before and suffered from adverse reactions. Some of the side effects that people sometimes experience after taking or applying cold sore medications can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, stomach pain, joint pain, skin rash, flatulence, kidney problems, hair loss, vision problems, seizures, hallucinations, agitation, depression, confusion, slurred speech, and fever

You can also consider over the counter medications like lip balms, core sore creams, core sore patches, and pain relievers. Natural remedies include the usage of rhubarb, sage, lemon balm, licorice root, peppermint oil, and honey. It is important to discuss the use of these remedies with your doctor.