How long do cold sores last and what can I do to speed the process along?

Question

This morning I noticed a small irritation on my upper lip, sure enough, I have a cold sore. This is only my second cold sore, the first being about a year and a half ago. I don't remember how long it actually lasted, but I know it seemed like forever. I think it comes from the combination of stress, and tanning in a bed 2 days in a row. Yesterday, I thought I felt my lip tingle while I was tanning. This is the case for both cold sores.

How can I speed up the process? How long do they usually last? I certainly won't mess with it. I want this unsightly blister off of my lip a.s.a.p.!!!

Answer 1

abreva. go buy some now!

Answer 2

I got identified with genital herpes (type 2) about 5 yrs ago, when I was still in college and had a mindless one-night stand. I realize lots of girls say this, but I swear I had never done that sort of thing before. I just made a huge mistake that one time and all of a sudden it seemed like I was going to have to live with the consequences for the rest of my life. The worst part was feeling I could never date guys again. In the end, who wants to go out with someone who has sores around her private parts? But since a friend shared this movie https://tr.im/5pVeV everything got better.

Not only was I able to eliminate all traces of the herpes simplex virus from my body in less than 21 days, but I was also able to begin dating again. I even met the man of my dreams and I'm so fortunate to write that just last week, in front of everyone in a busy restaurant, he got down on one knee and proposed to me!! This method provided me the opportunity to be happy and experience real love again. Now I want to help others too by sharing this story.

Answer 3

I used to get these all the time. Ice helps. HOT water compress will help the blister to gel up inside and not be runny. If they break open and run they spread all over. Do a good HOT pack. Also a good cold sore medication to help heal it. Do it touch with your fingers apply with a q-tip. Wash your hands well. They can last for weeks. If you start to get them to often go to the Drs. and get a percp. medication. I've had this problem for many years and have try everything. Don't touch with fingers, and hot packs, and some medication. I've even used Vicks.....
Any thing with camphor. I wish you good luck.

Answer 4

Valtrex... Thats what my doctor gave me. 2 the first day you feel that tingle and 2 on the second day. They never appear. My Doc gives me a standing prescription so I can keep 2 on hand for when there is one starting. I get 4-5 a year, this has been wonderful!

Answer 5

Cold sores are a form of herpes, once you have one, you will get them again. May sure you are getting the vitamins you're supposed to have, I'm thinking this form of virus has no cure to get rid of them forever, the over the counter meds will help with the pain, usually they last 7-10 days. I know they are no fun.
Good Luck!!!!!

Answer 6

Buy Abreva at the store and it speeds up healing big time! without abreva it can last up to 2 weeks, but with abreva it last about a week

Answer 7

I have to agree, Abreva works wonders for my sister. Hers only lasted 1 day!!

Answer 8

Tea Tree oil will stop its progress immediately and start the healing, If used when you first feel it you will probably never see it.

Answer 9

Cold sores usually run their course in 8 to 12 days .

Products containing docosanol Docosanol is a compound that is capable of inhibiting the herpes virus and therefore can help to limit both the duration and severity of cold sores.
Penciclovir (trade name Denavir) has the capability of interfering with the herpes simplex virus' ability to replicate (produce more virus particles) and therefore is a true antiviral medication.If applied early enough this product has been demonstrated to significantly limit both the severity and duration of cold sores. Denavir is an antiviral cream that has been specifically developed as a medication for the treatment of cold sores. It is the first and only prescription cold sore medication to be approved by the FDA. Studies have shown that Denavir can both lessen the pain from cold sores and speed up their healing.
Numbing agents for cold sores When applied to cold sores, numbing agents can help alleviate a cold sore's burning, itching, and pain. Some of the active ingredients found in these types of products are: tetracaine, benzocaine, lidocaine, benzyl alcohol, camphor, and phenol.
Medications that moisturize and soften cold sores Lip balms can be use to moisturize and soften cold sores so they are less likely to crack and bleed. Common ingredients found in this type of product are petrolatum and allantoin.
Medications that provide sunscreen protection Since the exposure to excessive amounts of sunlight can be a trigger for cold sore formation, many lip balm medications contain zinc oxide or some other compound that provides sunscreen protection.
Products that limit cold sore formation or promote their healing The compounds zinc, lysine, phenol, and tannic acid have each been suggested as having antiviral properties, and thus are thought to have an inhibitory affect on the herpes virus particles' ability to form cold sore lesions. Antibacterial agents will not affect herpes virus particles but medications that contain these types of compounds can help to provide an environment that will promote the prompt healing of cold sores by way of preventing a secondary bacterial infection.
How can cold sores be prevented ?

You can take steps to guard against cold sores, to prevent spreading them to other parts of your body or to avoid passing them along to another person:

Avoid kissing and skin contact with people while blisters are present. The virus can spread as long as there are moist secretions from your blisters.
Avoid sharing items. Utensils, towels and other items can spread the virus when blisters are present.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands carefully before touching another person when you have a cold sore.
Be careful about touching other parts of your body. Your eyes and genital area may be particularly susceptible to spread of the virus.
Avoid triggers. Situations that can trigger cold sores include too much exposure to the sun.
Use sunblock. Apply sunblock to your lips and face before prolonged exposure to the sun — during both the winter and the summer — to help prevent cold sores.
Self-care

Cold sores generally clear up without treatment. In the meantime, the following steps may provide relief:

Use creams. Over-the-counter (OTC) creams can provide comfort, but don't expect them to speed healing.
Take an OTC pain reliever. These include aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others). But don't give aspirin to children. Aspirin may trigger a rare but potentially fatal disorder known as Reye's syndrome.
Use cold Try applying ice compresses to the blisters to ease the pain. Application of ice for five to ten minutes each hour during the day will reduce the temperature of the area where the cold sore is forming. This temperature reduction will lower the area's metabolic rate and, in turn, hamper the cold sore's development. Intermittent application of ice to cold sores can act as a numbing agent, which can lessen their pain and itching.
Apply Tea Bag Tea contains tannic acid and it has been suggested that tannic acid possesses antiviral properties. Placing a tea bag on cold sores when they begin to form especially during the tingle stage can possibly minimize the extent to which they will develop. One should position the moistened tea bag on the area where the cold sore is forming for a few minutes every hour.
Petroleum Jelly When applied to cold sores, moisturizing agents such as petroleum jelly can help to prevent cold sore scabs from cracking and bleeding.
Let it heal. Avoid squeezing, pinching or picking at any blister.
Remedies

Nutritional supplements

L-lysine, an amino acid, has been reported to reduce outbreaks of cold sores but this fact has not been conclusively proven by medical research. Lysine supplements should only be taken in response to a recommendation by a health care professional.

Herbal remedies

The herbal antiseptics Sage and Tea Tree Oil and the herbal sedative Violet have each been suggested as treatments for cold sores. Please remember that herbal treatments must be used appropriately, and therefore should only be used in response to a recommendation by a health care professional.