How to Treat and Prevent Cold Sores

Fever blisters, small blisters on the lip and around the mouth (also known as cold sores) can be a painful ordeal! The skin around the blisters is often red, swollen and sore and then the blister can even break open, leak clear fluid and then scab over after a few days. When you’re suffering from a cold sore outbreak, not only will you find yourself avoiding mirrors (and probably events) but you’re also likely to be dealing with pain and irritation too!

Although most cold sores will disappear within just a few weeks, why not avoid going through them in the first place?

Know what triggers them. Once you have the virus for cold sores, then you’re more prone to the condition following a trigger, such as fever, fatigue, sun exposure and stress. While there’s really not that much you can do for the first few triggers listed, you can help outbreaks by keeping your stress levels in check by staying healthy – eat a well balanced diet, get adequate amounts of rest and exercise a few times a week.

Avoid touching your face. Just as you avoid skin contact with other cold sore sufferers to prevent getting a blister yourself, actively avoid giving it to others. Always wash your hands, be careful about sharing skin care items and avoid making skin contact. The world can be a lonely place when you have a cold sore, but you and your face will likely recover within just a week or two!

Take an antiviral. Talk to your doctor about taking a prescription antiviral medication, such as Zovirax or Xerese. Usually before a cold sore outbreak, sufferers will have complains of that dreaded tingle or itchiness on their lip a day or two before that ugly blister starts to head. As soon as you feel this tingle, take your prescription. This will either help prevent the blister from appearing, or at least shorten the amount of time it lives on your pretty face.

Turn to the topical. If that blister starts to rear its ugly head, there are plenty of over-the-counter topical remedies you can try – many of which are available here at Mountainside Medical Equipment. Our most popular cold sore relief topical creams include:

- Abreva Cold Sore Cream – available in an easy-to-apply tube.
- Abreva Conceal Cold Sore Patches – goes on underneath makeup to hide and heal cold sores.
- Releev 1 Day Cold Sore Treatment – offers fast-acting cold sore relief.
- Herpecin-L Cold Sore Lip Balm – as easy as applying lip balm.
- Orajel Instant Pain Relief Cold Sore Cream – offers both healing power and pain relief.

For more cold sore products, visit our website or call 1-888-687-4334 for assistance from a Medical Supply Specialist.