Cold sores are small fever blisters that form around the mouth. These blisters are usually grouped in patches, which, when they break, form a scab that lasts several days. Cold sores can spread from person to person by kissing or sharing eating utensils or towels. Although cold sores are usually caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 1, they can also be caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 2.

During the first outbreak, the symptoms will appear after 20 days of exposure to the virus. The sores might last several days, however, the blisters will heal in two to three weeks without leaving scars. Generally, cold sores can heal on its own without treatment within a few weeks.

We can't stress enough that you need to call immediately and seek help at your first symptoms or outbreak, pain, swelling or the typical tingling feeling are the most commonly reported symptoms. We genuinely care about your health. Visit our team if your cold sores are becoming unmanageable.

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You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. The cold sore ointment docosanol Abreva may shorten the healing time of a cold sore.

At the first sign of symptoms, apply it to the affected skin as directed on the package. Use a cotton-tipped swab to put medicine on a cold sore.

This helps prevent the spread of the sores to other parts of the body. Studies about whether alternative medicine helps with cold sores have had mixed results. Some approaches that people use for cold sores include:.

Make an appointment with your primary care provider if your cold sores:. Your health care provider is likely to ask you a few questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth.

Your health care provider may ask:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your health care provider can usually diagnose cold sores just by looking at them.

Request an appointment. Thank you for subscribing! Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Show references AskMayoExpert.

Cold sores herpes simplex infection. Mayo Clinic; Dinulos JGH. Warts, herpes simplex, and other viral infections.

In: Habif's Clinical Dermatology. Elsevier; Accessed April 7, Herpes simplex. American Academy of Dermatology. Ferri FF, et al. In: Ferri's Fast Facts in Dermatology: A Practical Guide to Skin Diseases and Disorders.

HSV is common. The World Health Organization estimates that the worldwide frequency of HSV for people under 50 years old is 3. That means approximately 2 out of 3 people have HSV-1, and more than 1 in 10 have HSV Many people experience a tingling, burning, or itching sensation about 24 hours before a cold sore appears.

When a person initially contracts either HSV strain, they usually experience their first outbreak within 3 days to 2 weeks. This initial outbreak is often more severe than subsequent ones and causes flu-like symptoms, including:.

These symptoms tend to last for about 2 to 4 weeks. After the initial outbreak, HSV remains dormant in your nerve cells. Some people never experience another outbreak, while others continue to experience them. Future outbreaks can result from:. Not everyone with HSV will get cold sores.

For those who do, outbreaks can be unavoidable and unpredictable. But several treatment options can ease or shorten the duration and severity of an outbreak. Below are some of the most effective home remedies for treating cold sores. Home remedies provide relief for some people but do not work for everyone.

Prescription antiviral medications like valacyclovir Valtrex are typically much more effective at treating and preventing cold sores. Lemon balm has been used for many years to improve mood and cognitive function. This lemon-scented herb is also known to have antiviral properties.

A research review involved findings about lemon balm and its potential benefits for healing certain viruses, including HSV, SARS, and HIV.

The review found that lemon balm may help treat HSV-1 by preventing the virus from binding to cells in the body and replicating. Products that contain docosanol, benzyl alcohol, or lysine may help reduce the duration of the cold sore.

The manufacturers claim it can clear up a cold sore in as few as 2. A research review found that people with HSV who took at least 3 grams a day of lysine supplements found at least some relief from their symptoms.

Lysine is also available as a cream and in foods, like legumes, milk, cheese, and fish. Ice will likely not reduce the duration of a cold sore outbreak, but it can ease the discomfort and inflammation of cold sores. Apply a cold pack directly to the sores for temporary relief.

To avoid the risk of irritating or burning your skin, limit your cold pack time to 15 minutes at a time. You can purchase aloe vera gel from many local stores and websites and even grow your own aloe vera plants. While research connecting the plant to cold sores is limited, one in vitro study showed that its anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects could have inhibitory effects.

Apply a small amount of aloe vera gel — either from a tube or by breaking open an aloe vera leaf — directly onto your cold sores. Sunburns are one of the major triggers for cold sore outbreaks.

But there are plenty of ways to reduce your sun exposure. Wear sunscreen daily, whether you currently have a cold sore or not. It not only protects your lips while the cold sore heals, but it can also reduce future flare-ups when applied to the lips daily.

Look for at least SPF 30 , and apply it at least 15 minutes before you expect to be in the sun. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, avoiding the sun between 10 a.

and 4 p. Another major trigger that can cause the herpes virus to come out of dormancy is stress. But finding ways to reduce your stress can also reduce your risk of future cold sores. Add 10 to 30 minutes of anti-stress techniques into your daily routine by trying meditation, exercise, journaling, or anything that helps you feel calmer and more relaxed.

All three of those symptoms link with cold sores. Taking ibuprofen, which is readily available, can ease the pain and discomfort linked with cold sores. Acetaminophen, another widely available OTC medication, can also effectively reduce fever and pain. If you are sensitive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, this can be a good option for relief from mild to moderate cold sore pain.

Cold sores usually go away on their own after a few days, but several prescription treatments can help speed up that healing time. If you experience several flare-ups a year, you can even take oral antiviral medication year-round to prevent flare-ups altogether.

These treatments include:. People can pass on HSV-1 through close physical contact, like kissing and oral sex. Hold off on all sexual activity until your outbreak heals.

People should begin treatment within 24 hours of first noticing symptoms, such as a tingling or burning sensation. Anyone with a weakened immune system should also see a doctor, as there may be an added risk of complications. Some types of cancer, HIV, and various medical treatments can weaken the immune system.

The treatment usually involves taking a daily pill, and it may speed up healing by around 1 day. The first cold sore typically appears 2—20 days after exposure to HSV A sore tends to develop in the following stages:. Learn more about the stages of cold sores.

Once a person has the HSV-1 virus, it usually remains inactive in the body, but it can reactivate and form more sores. Factors that can trigger a new outbreak include :. HSV-1 is a contagious virus that spreads through direct contact. When sores are present, the virus can spread from the time of the first tingling until after the sore has healed.

The virus can also spread at other times — transmission can happen whether cold sores are visible or not. To reduce the risk of the virus spreading:. Having strong hygiene and limiting contact with others when symptoms are present can limit the spread of the virus. Below are some additional tips for managing cold sores:.

Cold sores are the most common symptom of an HSV-1 infection. Some people have repeated outbreaks of these sores, while others have the infection but never experience symptoms.

Various over-the-counter or prescription treatments can help manage cold sores, and some people experience benefits from trying home remedies. If the sores are severe or persistent, contact a doctor. A wide range of cold sore treatments and remedies are available for purchase online. There is currently no cure for cold sores and no way to get rid of them quickly.

However, there are ways to ease the symptoms. Learn more in this…. Cold sores are sores and blisters on the lips. People can buy prescription and non-prescription medications to treat the symptoms.

Learn more here. Popping a cold sore can lead to further cold sores, infection, and scarring. Find out what treatments to try instead to heal cold sores. Many people have cold sores throughout their lives, but some factors can make it easier for them to recur.

Learn about why cold sores recur here. Cold sores on black skin look like small blisters filled with clear liquid. When the sores open, they crust over and start to heal. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health?

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You can dab some on the affected area and you can even keep it in the refrigerator for an additional soothing sensation. Sun can cause cold sore flare ups due to ultraviolet radiation which is why is very important to wear sunscreen when affected by cold sores.

Not only will it protect your blisters but it will also help to prevent future flare ups. Take vitamin C and E as they help to inactivate the herpes simplex virus which is what causes cold sores.

Avoid intimate contact with people affected by cold sores. However, there are a few steps that you can take to make sure to prevent scars:. There you have it, four of the best home remedies for cold sores.

The next time you feel a tingle or catch a glimpse of a blister, jump into action and stop them in their tracks! Now that you know how to treat cold sores, you might want to check out our home remedies for colds too.

Looking for a runny nose remedy you can make at home? For five family-friendly ways to stop a runny nose, click here. Discover our tips on dealing with a runny eyes with a cold, here. Discover why yellow mucus comes out of noses, here. Got sinusitis but no cold symptoms?

Fortunately, you can get some relief. Check out sinusitis infection without a cold treatment tips here. What helps sinusitis? Find out how to treat sinusitis at home and some chronic sinusitis treatments and home remedies, here.

Find out how to stop a runny nose naturally. According to that study and another older study from , the following essential oils show antiviral effects against the herpes virus:.

Unfortunately, much of the research on essential oils and HSV-1 is outdated. A study found that tea tree oil displays some antiviral effects that could help fight off the herpes simplex virus, while another lab study from shows that peppermint oil is effective in fighting off both the HSV-1 and herpes simplex virus type 2 HSV A study suggests that ginger, thyme, hyssop, and sandalwood essential oils could even be effective treatments for drug-resistant versions of the virus.

Notably, these studies have limitations, and evidence may be anecdotal. Both studies used herpes cells from monkeys, not humans. Plus, they were conducted in vitro, which means in a test tube or culture dish.

Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil. Honey already has a reputation for helping wounds and skin injuries heal, and a study found that kanuka honey, which comes from the manuka tree in New Zealand, could be useful for treating cold sores, too.

In fact, the large randomized clinical trial found that a medical-grade version of this honey seemed to be as effective at treating cold sores as acyclovir.

Like honey, propolis is another bee product that holds some promise for healing wounds and skin lesions. The antiviral properties of propolis could make it a candidate for healing your cold sores a little more quickly, research suggests.

The research is dated, but a study suggests that applying an extract of lemon balm, which is an herb from the mint family, has an inhibitory effect against the HSV virus that causes cold sores. A case report found that applying a gel containing lemon balm as well as St.

Lemon balm is also available in capsule form and is used for a variety of other therapeutic purposes, according to a research review. Per a review , studies have shown that people taking lysine were less likely to experience recurrences of cold sores.

However, these studies have limits, and some of the evidence is contradictory. For example, no optimal dose or even particular type of preparation of lysine was recommended.

Before taking any oral supplement, you should first discuss it with a healthcare professional. Some supplements can be contaminated with active pharmaceuticals that may be harmful to you, research shows.

Most of the time, cold sores go away on their own within a couple of weeks. If your cold sore lingers beyond 2 weeks, it might be time to check with your healthcare professional. You may benefit from a prescription-strength antiviral medication.

If you have eczema, which is also called atopic dermatitis, you may have some cracked or bleeding areas on your skin. If HSV-1 spreads into those openings, it can cause complications, according to the National Eczema Association. Unfortunately, nothing can clear up a cold sore overnight — but some medications and treatments can shorten the life span of a cold sore and make you feel better, too.

When your cold sore begins to crust over and form a scab, you can apply a moisturizing cream to help speed the healing process. A scab means the cold sore is healing and should fall off on its own. While you wait, try to take care of it the best you can. You have many treatment options that you can try.

You can also use a cold, wet compress to keep the redness down or take an OTC pain medication if the sore is painful. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Learn about eight things you can do in the early stages of a cold sore to help manage symptoms and shorten duration. There are five different stages of a cold sore.

The first stage starts about 24 hours before the blister appears. The blister appears in stage 2…. Cold sores are no fun. Learn about Valtrex, a prescription drug that could help you shorten the time you have cold sores or even avoid them altogether.