Sadly enough, the honest and quick answer is:- You cannot never get rid of cold sores! Yes, that is the cruel truth! Cold sores are small, painful, fluid-filled blisters or sores that appear on the lips, mouth or nose that are caused by a virus. The sores can be painful and usually last a few days. Unlike most viral infections, the cold sore virus is not completely eliminated by the body defenses. For this reason, cold sores often recur.

How do we get it in the first place?

The virus is spread from person to person by kissing or other close contact with sores or even from contact with apparently normal skin that is shedding the virus. After the first infection, recurrences often occur when the immune system is weak, often associated with fever and flu, overexposure to the sun, stress and hormonal changes, such as menstruation.

How do we treat ?

Annoying and painful as they are, cold sores usually do not require medical care. If you have cold sores that come so frequently, you may wish to seek a doctor help in prescribing a daily medication to reduce the number of attacks.

Home remedies:-
It appears based on medical reports that most home remedies, including lysine (once thought to be a potential treatment) and vitamin supplements, are not proven to improve healing. Cold compresses, however, may relieve pain temporarily.

Over-the-counters:-
Good news is that there are several medications to reduce the duration or symptoms of cold sores. Most can be purchased over the counters at pharmacies without doctor's prescription.

Using topical anaesthetics that contain benzocaine, lidocaine, tetracaine or dibucaine will help relieve burning, itching and pain. Examples are Lipactin gel and Zilactin. These topical agents have a short duration of action, usually only lasting 20 to 30 minutes, but do not decrease healing time.

The only over the counter product that is known to decrease healing time when applied at first sign of recurrence (when you first feel a tingling sensation) is Docosanol 10% cream. It is generally recommended to apply Docosanol five times per day until completely healed.

However, I would strongly recommend that you have a chat with your pharmacist before purchasing any over the counter products (if it is the first time you are buying) to understand more about possible side effects which might include rash and itching.

What else do we need to know?

People with cold sores should wash their hands often, especially after touching the face. Cups and eating utensils should not be shared with another person.

In general, we should try to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet to keep the immune system healthy. Although it is not always possible to prevent another outbreak, keeping away from too much sun exposure and stress might just reduce the frequency of recurrences. Keeping a positive mindset might just keep the other diseases and viruses away too! So, eat well and stay happy and healthy!

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