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Understanding Cold Sores: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

A cold sore, also known as oral herpes or a fever blister, is an itchy, painful blister that usually appears on your lip or around your mouth. Cold sore blisters typically go away on their own within a couple of weeks.v A cold sore is sometimes confused with a canker sore, but it’s easy to tell the difference. A canker sore is always inside your mouth and doesn’t have the tingling, itching, or burning sensation that precedes a cold sore.
 

What Causes Cold Sores?

 

The herpes simplex virus – known as HSV-1 and HSV-2 – is the sole cause of cold sores. However, most cases are due to HSV-1, which is far more common, affecting around half of all American adults,compared to roughly 1 in 8 for HSV-2 variant.i

Once you’ve caught the virus, it lies dormant in a nerve sheath until something triggers it into becoming active. Cold sore triggers may vary between people, but common ones include:

  • UV light from the sun or sunbeds
  • Stress
  • Illness
  • Tiredness
  • Injury to the area
  • Hormonal change

The Best Cold Sores Treatment

 

Although the virus isn’t curable, treatment can significantly shorten the time your cold sore lasts. Abreva® Cream works by blocking the spread of the virus to healthy skin cells.* In a clinical study, it could clear up cold sores in just 2½ days* when applied at the first sign of symptoms – a significant improvement on the usual 8–10 days without treatment. For best results, apply Abreva® Cream five times a day, starting with the first tingle.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about cold sores.

*Based on laboratory studies.

 

What Are the Stages of a Cold Sore?

 

  1. There are five distinct stages of a cold sore:v
  2. A tingling, itching, or burning sensation that acts as a warning to apply Abreva® Cream.
  3. A group of small, fluid-filled, painful blisters appears, usually on or around your lips or mouth. The surrounding area may be red and swollen.
  4. The blisters bursts, oozing fluid.
  5. A scab forms as the blisters dry out.
  6. The scab gradually flakes off.

 

How Can I Ease the Pain of a Cold Sore?

 

Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen are effective at easing the swelling of cold sores. Local anesthetic creams, such as lidocaine or benzocaine, temporarily block nerve signals in your skin, numbing pain and stopping itching and irritation.

 

Alternatively, reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and itching by holding an icepack covered with a thin cloth or a cold, wet washcloth to the area for up to 20 minutes.ii 

 

Do Natural Remedies Work?

 

There’s no scientific evidence that natural remedies such as lysine, lemon juice, acetone or witch hazel are effective against cold sores. Some, such as ice, may provide short-term relief, but won’t treat a cold sore. Opt instead for a treatment supported by scientific evidence such as Abreva® Cream. It contains the only non-prescription ingredient approved by the FDA to shorten the duration of a cold sore. vi

 

When Are Cold Sores Contagious?

 

Cold sores are contagious from the first moment you feel the characteristic tingle, itch, or burn to the time the sore has completely disappeared. During this time, the virus can spread, even when there isn't a blister. The most contagious time, however, is when the blisters burst.vii

 

How Are Cold Sores Spread?

 

 

If you have a cold sore, the infection can spread to other parts of your body or other people. Cold sores spread through broken skin or mucous membranes, including the moist surface of your mouth, eyes, or genitals. You can also spread it to other people through saliva or skin-to-skin contact. Most people catch HSV-1, the type of herpes simplex virus that causes most cold sores, in childhood through a kiss from an infected person.vii

 

How Can I Avoid Spreading Cold Sores?

 

To avoid spreading the virus to other parts of your body or other people: vii

  • Use a disposable applicator, rather than your fingers, to apply Abreva® Cream, sunscreen, lip balm or make-up.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after touching your cold sore.
  • Avoid touching your eyes – wash hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.
  • Don’t share items that may have come into contact with your saliva, such as toothbrushes, cutlery, cups, glasses, cold sore cream, lipsticks or lip balm.
  • Avoid sexual contact – including kissing – until your cold sore has completely disappeared.

 

Can I Date With a Cold Sore?

 

Absolutely, but be honest with your date and let them know that you can’t have sexual contact – including kissing – until your cold sore has disappeared completely. You should also avoid sharing personal items such as cutlery, straws, or toothbrushes.

 

Can I Prevent Cold Sore Breakouts?

 

You can significantly reduce your risk of a cold sore by getting to know your triggers and avoiding or managing them. The most common triggers are UV light from the sun or sunbeds, stress, illness, tiredness, injury to the area, and hormonal changes. vii

 

For instance, if your trigger is UV light, wear a sunscreen of SPF30+ when you go outside. Generally looking after your immunity by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthily and managing stress will reduce your overall risk.

 

Are Cold Sores Serious?

 

Cold sores are minor ailments, but there can be potential complications if they affect:

  • Babies – Infants and babies can’t fight the virus easily as their immune systems haven't yet fully developed. If the virus infects a baby's vital organs, it can be potentially fatal.iii
  • People with weakened immunity – The virus can spread easily and cause far more severe complications in people with weak immune systems caused by cancer treatment, illness and conditions such as diabetes and HIV.iv
  • Your eyes – Your sight may be at risk if the virus reaches the inner part of your cornea, the transparent layer at the front of your eye, and is left untreated. iv

 

When Should I Consult My Doctor?

 

See your doctor or healthcare professional if:

  • Your symptoms haven’t cleared up in 10 days or keep coming back.
  • The infection has spread to your eye area.
  • You have weakened immunity either through cancer treatment or a condition such as diabetes or HIV.
  • You have sores on your genitals.

 

Affect on Baby and Safe Treatments

If you’ve ever had cold sores — those annoying, painful, tiny, fluid-filled blisters that usually form around your mouth and on your lips — you know how inconvenient they can be.

But also if you’ve ever had cold sores (and therefore already have the virus that causes them), did you know they can recur, especially when you’re under stress or are undergoing hormonal fluctuations?

Stress and hormonal changes. That sounds an awful lot like pregnancy.

Cold sores in pregnancy aren’t unheard of, and they don’t usually have any impact on your growing baby. So first, let out a deep sigh of relief. Next, read on — because there are still important things to know about cold sores if you’re expecting.

Cold sores are caused by a virus — the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Of the two types of HSV, cold sores are generally caused by HSV-1, whereas genital herpes is usually a result of exposure to HSV-2. There have been a few instances where HSV-1 sores have been found in the genitals and vice versa.

Once you’ve had a cold sore (oral herpes), the virus remains in your system for life — it’s just not active unless you have a current outbreak.

But when we say that stress and hormones can cause the virus to reactivate, it’s important to know that stress and hormones don’t cause the virus in the first place.

If you’ve never had HSV, you can only get it through contact with someone who has. When it comes to a first-time cold sore infection, this can happen via activities like:

  • kissing
  • sharing food or utensils
  • using someone else’s ChapStick or lip gloss
  • oral sex

Here’s the really good news: If you already have the virus that causes cold sores, and you have an outbreak of oral herpes during pregnancy, it’s most likely not going to have any impact on your growing baby.

Cold sores are a localized infection, usually around the mouth area. They don’t typically cross the placenta and reach your baby.

The highest risk scenario is if you get HSV for the first time during your third trimester of pregnancy.

When you get the virus for the first time, your body hasn’t developed any protective antibodies to it yet. And while HSV-1 is usually associated with oral herpes, it can cause a genital herpes outbreak, which can be dangerous to your baby — especially as they pass through the birth canal.

Birth-acquired herpes is serious. However, it’s a concern with genital rather than oral herpes. That being said, because the same virus can cause both, it’s important to talk to your OB about any cold sores during pregnancy.

The most common treatment for cold sores is docosanol (Abreva), an over-the-counter topical cream. But the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t evaluated it for safety in pregnancy.

While some research has determined that it’s “likely safe” during pregnancy, at least one pharmaceutical company that manufactures the drug warns against using it unless it’s definitely needed — which really means you need to check with your doctor. There may be other treatments you should try first.

If you’ve had herpes in the past, your doctor may recommend antivirals — like acyclovir or valacyclovir — starting at week 36 and continuing until delivery of your baby, even if you don’t have a current outbreak of lesions around the genital area. This helps prevent reactivation and spread of the virus to the genital area.

This precaution is because you shouldn’t expose your baby to herpes in the vaginal area during delivery.

Alternatively, your doctor may suggest a cesarean delivery, which avoids the birth canal altogether — something that’s especially important if you have a current outbreak of genital herpes.

Cold sores are highly contagious, despite the fact that they won’t affect your baby in the womb. If you have them after your baby is born, avoid kissing those adorable little cheeks or touching any sores and then touching your newborn without first washing your hands with soap.

In the extremely rare event that you have cold sores on either breast, avoid breastfeeding from that breast while you’re still contagious.

Your cold sores are contagious until they crust over, at which point they’ll start to heal.

If you do pass a cold sore infection on to your newborn, it’s known as neonatal herpes. While not as serious as the birth-acquired version, it can still cause serious complications in a baby who hasn’t yet developed a robust immune system.

The cold sore on your mouth is likely to be more of an annoyance to you than a serious risk to your developing baby, particularly in your first two trimesters of pregnancy and especially if you’ve had one before. But you should still let your OB know about it.

The virus that causes cold sores — usually HSV-1 — can also cause genital herpes, which is more of a risk to your pregnancy and growing little one.

If you have an outbreak in your third trimester — or if you acquire the virus for the first time in your third trimester — your doctor may want you to follow certain treatment or precautionary guidelines, like antivirals or a cesarean delivery.

90,000 Abrev cream / Abreva Cream in Russian - goods Abreva Kream / Abreva Cream in Russian - Product - Medicine.net

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  • Overview
  • Benefits
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  • Precautions
  • Interactions
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Overview

Abreva Cream / Abreva Cream is used to treat cold sores or fever blisters and other conditions.

Abreva Cream contains Docosanol as an active ingredient. Available in cream form.

Detailed information regarding the use, composition, dosage, side effects of Abreva Cream, as well as user reviews are provided below:

Uses and symptoms:

  • Herpes or fever blisters

Learn more: Benefits

Side effects

The following is a list of possible side effects that may be caused by the ingredients of Abreva Cream. This list is not final. These side effects have been recorded previously, but are not always recorded when using the drug. Some of these side effects may be extremely rare, but have incredibly severe consequences. If you notice any side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Especially in the case of observing side effects for a long time. nine0004

  • Redness of the skin
  • Swelling
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty breathing

If you experience side effects not listed above, please contact your healthcare provider for advice. In addition, you can report side effects to your local Food and Drug Administration.

Precautions

Before starting this drug, tell your doctor about any medications you are taking, dietary supplements (such as vitamins, natural supplements, etc.), allergies, existing medical conditions, and current health conditions (such as pregnancy, upcoming surgery, and etc.). The side effects of the drug may be more pronounced depending on the state of your body. Take this medicine as directed by your doctor, or follow the directions for use that come with your medicine. The dosage of the drug depends on your condition. Tell your doctor if there is no change or if your condition worsens. Important points to discuss with your healthcare provider are listed below. nine0004

  • Pregnant women planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding

To obtain this information, please consult your therapist, pharmacist or get acquainted with the information on the packaging of the product.

Hypersensitivity to Abreva Cream is a contraindication. In addition, Abreva Cream should not be used if you have the following conditions:

  • hypersensitivity

Composition and active ingredients

Abreva Cream contains the following active ingredients (salts)

  • Docosanol

each of the active ingredients listed above.

Packing Options and Strengths

Abreva Cream is available in the following packages and strengths

Available packages of Abreva Cream / Abreva Cream: 10%

FAQ

  • Should I use this product on an empty stomach, before or after meals?

    TabletWise.com users have reported using Abreva Cream anytime. However, this information may not apply to your specific situation. Please check with your healthcare provider for a schedule. Click here and view survey results to find out what other patients report as timing of using Abreva Cream. nine0004

  • Is it safe to drive or operate heavy machinery while using this product?

    If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, hypotension or a headache as side-effects when using Abreva Cream medicine then it may not be safe to drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery. You should stop driving if taking this medicine makes you drowsy, dizzy, or hypotensive. Doctors recommend that you stop drinking alcohol with such drugs, because. alcohol greatly increases the side effects and drowsiness. Please check for these effects on your body when using Abreva Cream. Be sure to consult your doctor for advice based on the characteristics of your body and general health. nine0004

  • Is this drug (product) addictive or addictive?

    Most drugs are not habit-forming or addictive. In most cases, the state classifies drugs that can be addictive as controlled dispensing drugs. For example, schedule H or X in India and schedule II-V in the USA. Please check the information on the drug packaging to make sure that this drug is not in the controlled category. Also, do not self-medicate or accustom your body to medications without consulting your doctor. nine0004

  • Can I stop using this product immediately or do I need to slowly stop using it?

    Some medications need to be stopped gradually due to a rebound effect. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider for advice based on your body, general health, and other medications you may be taking.

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Herpes treatment and drugs

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Herpes, also known as herpes simplex virus (HSV), is an infection that can appear in various parts of the body, although it mostly affects the mouth and genitals. nine0004

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 (67 percent) are infected with HSV-1, and 491 million people aged 15 to 49 years (13 percent) are infected with HSV -2.

Symptoms of herpes are mainly treated with three main drugs taken in tablet form: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir) and valaciclovir (Valtrex). In severe cases, treatment may include intravenous administration of the drug acyclovir. nine0004

Content

  1. Herpes Treatment
  2. Initial treatment
  3. Distributive treatment
  4. Optional treatment
  5. Treatment options
  6. Acyclovir
  7. FAMCICIVLOVIR (FAMVIR) 9000
  8. Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
  9. 000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000) Home Remedies
  10. Risks and Side Effects
  11. Frequently Asked Questions
  12. What happens if herpes is left untreated?
  13. Can herpes go away forever? nine0008
  14. Can I get tested for herpes at home?
  15. Summary

Treatment of herpes

There is no cure for the herpes virus yet. There is currently no vaccine against herpes because the herpes virus has more complex DNA than most infections, which creates difficulties for researchers.

However, medication can help manage symptoms such as ulcers and flare-ups. Medicines also reduce the risk of passing the virus to others. Most herpes medicines are taken by mouth, but they can also be applied as a cream or injected. nine0004

Initial treatment

If you are newly diagnosed with herpes and have symptoms of an active infection, a short course of 7-10 days of antiviral therapy is usually given. This can help relieve symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. If symptoms do not improve during this time, you can continue the antiviral course for a longer period.

After your initial treatment, your doctor may recommend one of two options, depending on how often your flare-ups occur: intermittent or suppressive treatment. nine0004

Intermittent treatment

After symptoms subside after initial treatment, your doctor may recommend intermittent therapy. This is when you keep a medicine on hand to treat an outbreak. Because herpes is a virus that stays in the body and can cause recurrent outbreaks, having an antiviral medication in case you feel an outbreak is coming can reduce the severity of symptoms and speed up recovery.

Suppressive treatment

Daily antiviral medication is a type of suppressive therapy that may be recommended for people with very frequent outbreaks. This is a preventive measure, as taking anti-herpes medications daily can significantly reduce the number of outbreaks.

Daily medication is also associated with a reduced risk of virus transmission. A 2004 study showed that daily suppressive therapy with valaciclovir significantly reduced the transmission of HSV-2 (genital herpes) among married couples. nine0004

Treatment options

Treatment options for herpes symptoms include prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and home remedies. The best herpes treatment for you may depend on the type and severity of the infection.

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

Acyclovir is a prescription antiviral drug taken by mouth or applied topically that treats the symptoms of genital herpes. It can reduce the pain of flare-ups and help them heal faster. In people with weakened immune systems, acyclovir can also help prevent the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body, causing further infections. In severe cases, an intravenous (IV) form of acyclovir may be given by a healthcare professional. nine0004

Famciclovir (Famvir)

Famciclovir, taken by mouth in tablet form, is a prescription drug for the treatment of oral and genital herpes. It is recommended for people with strong immune systems, although it should not be the first course of treatment for people experiencing their first episode of genital herpes. It is also not recommended for people with weakened immune systems. Famciclovir helps reduce the severity and duration of herpes outbreaks.

Valaciclovir (Valtrex)

Valaciclovir is available as tablets to be taken by mouth. It is a prescription antiviral drug that can treat symptoms and prevent outbreaks of oral and genital herpes. People with frequent outbreaks may take valaciclovir daily as part of suppressive therapy to prevent future infections and reduce the risk of transmission to sexual partners.

Docosanol (Abreva)

Docosanol is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter topical Abreva, which is FDA approved for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex labialis (HSL), the best-known recurrent infection of the lips and perioral tissue caused by HSV-1. A 2001 study found docosanol to be safe and effective for the treatment of relapsing HSL. nine0004

Home remedies

Like prescription and over-the-counter herpes treatments, home remedies do not cure the virus. However, they can relieve symptoms such as pain, cold sores, and blisters.

Some home remedies for herpes include:

  • applying a warm or cold compress
  • application of corn starch paste or baking soda
  • making dietary changes
  • application of garlic or apple cider vinegar
  • inclusion of additives such as lysine and zinc
  • application of herbs and essential oils

Risks and side effects

The three main herpes drugs acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir are all approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, but be aware of side effects and interactions.

Common side effects of these antivirals include headache and nausea. Famciclovir may cause dizziness, confusion or drowsiness. nine0004

Aciclovir and valaciclovir, which are very similar to each other, can cause kidney failure. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose. These drugs can interact with other medicines, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, which can impair kidney function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if herpes is not treated?

Untreated, ulcers and flares usually heal on their own. Oral herpes is usually considered a mild infection, but complications can occur in people with weakened immune systems. nine0004

The risk of complications from genital herpes is also low, although they include inflammation, swelling, and pain. However, passing HSV-2 to a newborn can be dangerous. Doctors may recommend a caesarean section for mothers with genital herpes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Can herpes go away forever?

Symptoms may go away, but the herpes virus does not. It remains in the body even after the disappearance of all symptoms of infection. Because herpes remains dormant until it becomes active, symptoms may not appear at all, appear rarely, or appear frequently in the form of recurrent outbreaks. nine0004

Can I get tested for herpes at home?

Yes, there are home tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), for herpes. LetsGetChecked is a diagnostic and treatment company that offers in-home lab testing services. A home herpes test checks for HSV-1 and HSV-2 by taking a blood sample from a finger.

Summary

Herpes is a virus that, although not treatable, is considered mild. Symptoms, mainly mouth sores and blisters on the genitals, are usually temporary and may resolve with treatment. nine0004

There are home remedies, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription medicines for herpes. If you think you might have herpes, talk to your doctor about testing and treatment options right away.

Lacey Burassa is a health, wellness and beauty writer based in Southern California.

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