What are the Causes of Cold Sores & How to Treat them at Home

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are blisters that form on areas of the face, such as around the mouth. The blisters are usually red and filled with fluid. Sometimes, but rarely, cold sores may show on your nose, inside your mouth, or on your fingers. Cold sores can last up to two weeks or even longer before disappearing. Most people prefer cold sore treatment in Harrow and all across the UK for quicker recovery.

Causes of cold sores

The herpes simplex virus is known to be the main cause of cold sores. There are 2 types of the virus, namely herpes simplex type 1 virus and herpes simplex type 2 virus. Type 1 typically causes cold sores, while type 2 causes genital herpes.

The sores actually resemble each other in both forms. There is a possibility of HSV-1 to bring about genital sores and HSV-2 to bring about mouth sores.

Cold sores are contagious, and you can get them by simply coming in contact with the infected person. This can be through sharing food, sharing cosmetics, and kissing. Both genital herpes and cold sores can emerge as a result of oral sex.

What are the symptoms of cold sores?

A few days before developing a cold sore, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation on the face or lips. It’s ideal to start cold sore treatment at this time.

Upon the sore’s formation, a red blister with fluid inside is visible. It’s normally tender to the touch but painful. Several sores may be present.

The cold sore can last up to 2 weeks and remains contagious untill it crusts over. It may take up to 20 days before your first sore appears following the contraction of the herpes simplex virus.

Some of the symptoms you may also experience include:

• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Dehydration

Contact us as soon as possible if you start showing eye symptoms during an outbreak. If not attended to in time, the herpes simplex virus can cause permanent blindness.

Cold sore treatment – UK-wide Shipping

Cold sores have no cure; it’s rare for those with the virus to have outbreaks. However, there are a number of ways to treat cold sores when they develop.

Ointments, creams, and gels for cold sore treatment in Harrow, Middlesex & beyond

If you are bothered by cold sores, you can control the pain and enhance healing using antiviral ointments. For best results, apply ointments as soon as the first signs of a sore show up. We offer a range of treatments with shipping across the UK to suit your needs.

Here are some of the best creams and gels you can use to treat cold sores:

Zovirax Cold Sore Cream

Topical treatment of cold sores of lips and face.

Lypsyl Cold Sore Gel 3g

The gel contains extra action formula, anaesthetic to relieve pain, antiseptic to help prevent bacterial infection, astringent to dry up cold sores, and relieves the discomfort of cold sores.

Medications for cold sore treatment

You can also use oral antiviral medications like famciclovir (Famvir), valacyclovir (Valtrex), and acyclovir (Zovirax) to treat cold sores. You can only purchase the medicines as a prescription.

Home remedies

You may ease the symptoms by applying a cold cloth or ice over the sores.

You can also use aloe vera gel to get some relief from the sores. Apply it gently to the cold sores about 3 times daily.

Even though petroleum jelly like Vaseline won’t treat a cold sore, it may ease your discomfort. Jelly plays a big role in crack prevention. It also protects the skin against irritants.

Always use a clean cotton ball or swab when applying gels, ointments, creams, and home remedies.

Feel free to get in touch with us for more information. You can shop cold sore remedies online today!

This blog post was written on behalf of Doorstep Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.