Should i put alcohol on my cold sore

There's good news, and then there's bad news. Let's start with the bad news. Instead, the virus travels back into your nerves, where it can lie dormant for long periods of time. When the virus reemerges, it typically does so in the same spot as before. But, here's the good news. While there's not much you can do about some of these triggers, others can be avoided. If you suffer from cold sores and think they may be caused by stress, it's a good idea to manage your stress via mediation or other relaxation techniques," suggests Dr.

But, while you may not know it, the virus can also spread by sharing: Cosmetics Food and drink Lip balm Razors Toothbrushes Towels Utensils and drinking glasses "The virus is most contagious when a cold sore is present, particularly when the blister begins to ooze," Dr. What are the best ways to get rid of a cold sore? Antiviral drugs can also be used to help your cold sores heal more quickly. These drugs, such as acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir, are available with a prescription from your dentist or doctor.

When you feel a cold sore coming — tingling, burning, swelling and redness in the area — the medications can help heal the cold sores or even stop them from appearing at all. It might help shorten the outbreak due to its demonstrated benefits in the wound-healing process and its antifungal and antibacterial properties. According to Mayo Clinic, a cream containing rhubarb and sage could be about as effective as acyclovir an antiviral cream. This remedy may decrease pain and promote quicker healing time.

The belief is that because alcohol is a drying agent found in some over-the-counter cold sore preparations, pure rubbing alcohol will dry the sore and promote healing. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are small, fluid-filled ulcers that appear on the lips and around the mouth. They may last for a week or more, causing discomfort as well as embarrassment due to their crusty appearance. For years, most cold sores simply had to run their course, causing pain for days or weeks. The best approach to treating a cold sore is to attack it early before it can even be seen. This involves having the right medications on hand so they can be used at the earliest sign of a sore.

People who are prone to cold sores should also get to know what triggers them to help reduce the number of outbreaks. Finally, because cold sores are highly contagious, it is crucial to know how to avoid spreading them to others.

Though cold sores cannot be avoided all the time, people should always try to treat them as soon as they can. Most people who get cold sores report that they can feel one coming before it appears on their skin. So, people who have them should watch for signs that a cold sore may be developing.

Tingling, burning, or itching may be felt around the lips for several hours or a day before the cold sore appears. This is the best time to begin treating the cold sore. People who frequently get cold sores may want to have the appropriate medications on hand so that they can begin using them at the earliest possible stage.

The medicines that have been proven to work on cold sores are called antivirals, and they work to stop a virus from replicating. This, in turn, can stop the cold sore from developing or may reduce its size and healing time. Antiviral medications are only available with a prescription. Cold sore antivirals come in two different forms:.

Antivirals are well-tolerated by most people. However, not everyone can or should take antivirals. Pure vanilla extract is alcohol based. As an astringent, it may function in the same way as rubbing alcohol or witch hazel. While it might dry up the cold sore, it can also be painful to your skin.

Petroleum jelly may help soften the skin on or around the lips and provide a protective layer against infection. It will not necessarily shorten the healing time of the cold sore, however.

Using a warm or hot compress a clean towel soaked with warm-hot water may help reduce the inflammation. Although these remedies may help with temporary symptom relief, or to minimize bacterial infections, home remedies for cold sores are not necessarily a cure-all.

Over-the-counter Abreva Cream , however, can help. In clinical testing, Abreva has been proven to reduce healing time of cold sores when used at the first sign of a cold sore. The median healing time is 4.