How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore
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How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore Fast
Helpful things to know when you want to get rid of a cold sore
Patience may be a virtue but that’s little comfort when you want to get rid of a cold sore fast. Just because there isn’t a cure for cold sores, doesn’t mean you have to suffer patiently until it clears up on its own.
Here are 5 ways to help you cope with a cold sore and make it disappear quicker
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![Don’t touch]( "Don’t touch")
1. HANDS OFF
It might sound obvious and seem hard to do, but DO NOT pick at a cold sore. If you don’t leave it alone, you may prolong the healing process. And if you accidently do touch it, don’t touch other body parts, especially your eyes. You could spread it to another area or to somebody else. So be sure to wash your hands as soon as possible.
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![Keep it clean]( "Keep it clean")
2. COOL THAT COLD SORE DOWN WITH A COMPRESS
Placing a cool, wet towel on the cold sore 3 times a day for 10 minutes at a time can help reduce pain, redness, and swelling. It’ll also help remove crusting and promote healing.1
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![Sorry, no kissing]( "Sorry, no kissing")
3. AVOID ACIDIC FOODS AND OPT FOR VITAMIN C TABLETS INSTEAD
Tomatoes and citrus fruits like oranges contain acid, that can irritate the skin and make your pain much worse.2 But many of these acidic fruits also contain Vitamin C, that can boost your white blood cell count to fight off the infection. Instead, take a tablet containing Vitamin C to get your body’s defenders fighting the battle for you.
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![Let’s talk about sex]( "Let’s talk about sex")
4. TAKE THE PAIN AWAY
You have enough to deal with. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain and swelling caused by a cold sore.
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![Get a new toothbrush!]( "Get a new toothbrush!")
5. ACT EARLY AND APPLY ABREVA® OFTEN
At the first sign of cold sore (when you feel the “tingle”), apply nonprescription Abreva® Cream. When done so, it is clinically proven to heal a cold sore in 2½ days*.
*Median healing time 4.1 days. 25% of users healed in 2.5 days.
1. HANDS OFF
It might sound obvious and seem hard to do, but DO NOT pick at a cold sore. If you don’t leave it alone, you may prolong the healing process. And if you accidently do touch it, don’t touch other body parts, especially your eyes. You could spread it to another area or to somebody else. So be sure to wash your hands as soon as possible.
2. COOL THAT COLD SORE DOWN WITH A COMPRESS
Placing a cool, wet towel on the cold sore 3 times a day for 10 minutes at a time can help reduce pain, redness, and swelling. It’ll also help remove crusting and promote healing.1
3. AVOID ACIDIC FOODS AND OPT FOR VITAMIN C TABLETS INSTEAD
Tomatoes and citrus fruits like oranges contain acid, that can irritate the skin and make your pain much worse.2 But many of these acidic fruits also contain Vitamin C, that can boost your white blood cell count to fight off the infection. Instead, take a tablet containing Vitamin C to get your body’s defenders fighting the battle for you.
4. TAKE THE PAIN AWAY
You have enough to deal with. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce the pain and swelling caused by a cold sore.
5. ACT EARLY AND APPLY ABREVA® OFTEN
At the first sign of cold sore (when you feel the “tingle”), apply nonprescription Abreva® Cream. When done so, it is clinically proven to heal a cold sore in 2½ days*.
*Median healing time 4.1 days. 25% of users healed in 2.5 days.
Show your lips some love
Remember, when you have a cold sore you’re likely to come across many myths and home remedies that claim to help treat a cold sore. Prescription medicine and Abreva® Cream are the only medications that are FDA approved to shorten healing time.
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