Best way to get rid of cold sores on lip

Also known as fever blisters, cold sores are a common viral infection. They look like small blisters that are filled with fluid and on and around your lips. Many times, these blisters form in patches. Once they break, a crust develops over the sore. Fortunately, cold sores usually go away within two to four weeks and don’t leave a scar. The most painful cold sores are the ones that show up on the cracks of the cheeks and where the teeth hit the inside of one’s lips. They can sometimes be so painful that it brings tears to the eyes.

Many people have reached out to us asking the fastest ways to get rid of a cold sore or if there are any at home remedies that can fix the pain in 24 hours or less.

If two to four weeks seems like a long time or you have an upcoming important event and would like to get rid of your core sore as soon as possible, you may be able to. There are a number of natural home remedies that may get the job done. We recommend you try the following:

  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Ice Cube
  • Apple Cider Vinegar


Tea Tree Oil

Dab a bit of tea tree oil on a cotton swab and apply it to the sore directly. Be sure to repeat this several times during the day and before you go to bed. Tea tree oil is a great option because it contains anti-viral properties that kill infection that spread bacteria and expedite the healing process.


Ice Cube

Take an ice cube and hold it on to your cold sore to minimize itching and swelling. Try your best to avoid scratching the sore and repeat this several times during the day. Since an ice cube can reduce swelling, it can make your cold sore heal faster.


Apple Cider Vinegar

Use a cotton swab to apply apple cider vinegar on the cold sore with the cotton swab and leave it one until it dries. Repeat this several times throughout the day. Apple cider vinegar is an antimicrobial agent, which can kills the virus that’s causing infection and provide you with quick relief.

Contact River Run Dental

As with any type of sore or irritation, do not pick at it or rub insistently as this will only make it worse. It is not uncommon for people to lick or rub a cold sore with their tongue. There can be a slight pain that jolts through the skin and sore when doing this but some enjoy the pain. No matter your pain tolerance, understand that licking, picking or rubbing a cold sore is only going to prolong the time it is on your lips. We have heard of some people that actually enjoy this pain and it causes the cold sores to remain longer because they irritate the blister. Do your best to not touch it with your tongue or teeth.

For more information on cold sores and how to get rid of your them, contact our Midlothian, VA dental office. Feel free to call us at (804) 262-1060 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!

Read this article in Spanish here – Cómo deshacerse de las boqueras en 24 horas

What started as a tender, tingling sensation at the edge of your mouth is now a full-blown cold sore, and you want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are painful, fluid-filled blisters that occur on lips, under the nose, or around the chin. According to the American Dental Association, the initial infection can also cause painful lesions inside the mouth on the tongue, cheeks, and gum tissue.

These cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1), but don't be alarmed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50 percent of the United States population ages 20 and older have HSV-1, many of which never manifest symptoms.

A cold sore usually goes away on its own within two weeks, but if you have a major event on your calendar — like a wedding or an important job interview — you're probably wondering how to get rid of your cold sore fast. Learn about your cold sore treatment options and how you can prevent future outbreaks.

Prescription Medications

For the best results, see your doctor or dentist at the first hint of a cold sore. He or she can prescribe an antiviral medication to help your cold sore heal more quickly. Though the antiviral medication won't eliminate the virus from your system, it can reduce the duration of a cold sore outbreak.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your doctor may prescribe one of two formats:

  • A topical cream that you apply directly to sores, such as docosanol cream or acyclovir cream.
  • An oral medication that you take by mouth, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir.

These medications are most effective when they're taken before the blisters appear. When you feel a cold sore coming — tingling, burning, swelling, and redness in the area are all clues — the medications can help heal the cold sores or even stop them from appearing at all.

Over-the-Counter Cold Sore Remedies

Though most antiviral medications are only available with a prescription, there are some over-the-counter (OTC) options that can help reduce a cold sore's pain and discomfort. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, these ointments, creams, patches, or gels can speed up the healing process by about one day, and sometimes they can prevent blisters or scabs from forming, too. Look for a topical cream that contains acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol. Just like the prescription medications, these OTC options work best when used at the first signs of a cold sore outbreak.

If you're looking to ease a cold sore's pain and discomfort, numbing creams that work as a local anesthetic to help numb pain and provide cold sore relief are also available. These creams contain active ingredients like benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine.

At-Home Cold Sore Remedies

If your medicine cabinet isn't stocked with an antiviral medication, use these overnight cold sore remedies until you can see a doctor or visit a pharmacy.

  • Apply a cold compress. Try holding a cool, damp cloth against your cold sore. This can make your sore less red and crusty and help it heal more quickly than if you let it alone. If you can feel the cold sore coming, but it hasn't appeared yet, hold a piece of ice to the area. This method may keep a full-blown cold sore from developing or may make it go away more quickly.
  • Keep the area moisturized. Use a lip balm or moisturizer to keep your lip and mouth area hydrated and prevent the sore from drying out and peeling. It's also important to keep this area protected from the sun, so look for a lip balm with 30 or higher SPF.
  • Don't touch the cold sore. Although it's tempting to pick at the sore or scrape the peeling skin, keep your hands off and let it heal itself. Plus, the sore is contagious, so if you touch your lips, make sure to wash your hands afterward to prevent spreading the virus to other people or other areas of your body.

Help Prevent Future Cold Sores

Though the virus that causes cold sores does not have a cure, there are measures you can take to prevent outbreaks. These preventive measures include:

  • Understanding your cold sore triggers. Figuring out what sets off your cold sore outbreak can help you keep them away in the long term. Some common cold sore triggers include anxiety, sunburn, exhaustion, hormonal changes, the common cold, or minor scratches or injuries to the lip. You may need to avoid excess sun exposure, find ways to reduce anxiety levels, or take other actions to prevent future outbreaks.
  • Replacing contaminated items. After you go through the healing process and get rid of your cold, make sure to replace your toothbrush, lip balm, and any other items that made contact with your cold sore and are not easily washed and disinfected. The virus that caused your cold sore can live on these items for days and cause your lips to become reinfected.
  • Talking to your doctor or dentist. If you suffer from cold sores often, your doctor or dentist may recommend taking an antiviral medication regularly to help prevent outbreaks. They can also help you identify possible triggers and recommend lifestyle changes to decrease your chances of getting cold sores.

Cold sores can be annoying, painful, and inconvenient. When you have an important event on your calendar, use these tips to get rid of a cold sore fast, prevent future outbreaks, and restore your lovely smile.

How do you get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours?

Unfortunately, you can't get rid of a cold sore in 24 hours, but you can shorten cold sore healing time and cut down the duration of painful cold sore symptoms. Just because there isn't a cure for cold sores, doesn't mean you have to suffer patiently until it clears up on its own.

What triggers a cold sore?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once the herpes simplex virus is in you, it can cause outbreaks of cold sores. Cold sore outbreaks are often triggered by exposure to hot sun, cold wind, a cold or other illness, a weak immune system, or even stress.

Should you keep a cold sore moist or dry?

It's important to keep your cold sore dry during phases one through four. Cold sores love warm, moist environments, so adding moisture in the early stages only makes symptoms worse. Give your cold sore time and space to dry out.

How long do cold sores last on lip?

Cold sores are small blisters that develop on the lips or around the mouth. They're caused by the herpes simplex virus and usually clear up without treatment within 7 to 10 days.