Finding the Best Cold Sore Medication
If you are infected with the HSV-1 virus, the virus that causes cold sore outbreaks, you most likely will want to find a cold sore medication that will work for you. Unfortunately, there are very few medications that have been shown to be effective in treating cold sores. Although there are medications that you can use to shorten the duration of the outbreak, and to help with the symptoms, there is no medication that will cure the virus. You will want to consult with your doctor to find the cold sore medication that is right for you. Let's take a look at the different medications your physician may recommend.
If you have repeated outbreaks your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help with these occurrences. Although antiviral drugs can not cure cold sores, they certainly can help to curb the symptoms and shorten the duration of outbreaks. Many patients also report a decrease in size of the blisters and a reduction in the number of blisters experienced during an outbreak when they are on an antiviral medication. This medication also works to reduce the pain suffered by most individuals. If an antiviral medicine is not right for you, there are also some over the counter medications you can use to help in treating cold sores.
Docosanol is the only over the counter cold sore medication that has shown proven results in shortening the duration of cold sore outbreaks. It is especially effective if taken at the first sign of an outbreak, during the tingling stage. There are also several over the counter topical medications that can help to ease symptoms. Benzocaine and lidocaine are two common numbing agents that work to relieve not only pain, but also burning and itching that is associated with this disease. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also be taken to ease the pain associated with cold sore blisters.
As you can see, if you suffer from cold sore outbreaks, you really do not have a lot of options when it comes to finding a cold sore medication to treat the virus. You will want to work with your doctor to determine if an antiviral medication might help, or if an over the counter option will work. You most likely will also want to pick up one of the topical over the counter medications to help with the symptoms you will experience during an outbreak.
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