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Everything You Need To Know About How To Get Rid Of A Cold Sore Fast

Photo credit: Ivan Lattuada - Imaxtree
Photo credit: Ivan Lattuada - Imaxtree

From ELLE

If you suffer with cold sores, you'll probably go as far as saying that they're the absolute bane of your existence.

The initial telltale tingling that leads to blistering, itching, stinging, cracking and weeping is enough to put a downer on anyone's week, and that's before we've touched on how they look, not to mention the fact that they're highly contagious...

But there's no need to hide behind your scarf or bail on plans, because there are ways to keep them from rearing their ugly heads.

Soft, smooth lips, here we come.

Photo credit: Nicky J. Sims - Getty Images
Photo credit: Nicky J. Sims - Getty Images

What Causes A Cold Sore?

In order to keep them at bay, it pays to know exactly what cold sores are.

According to the NHS, cold sores are small fluid-filled blisters that can appear anywhere on the face. They are probably most common on the lips and usually crust over into a scab.

Not pretty. But what causes them?

'Cold sores erupt when the normally dormant herpes virus is reawakened,' explains Dr. Marie-Louise Daly, Consultant Dermatologist at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic.

A lot of people find that feeling run down, stressed and ill that can contribute to the unsightly blisters, but they aren't the only factors.

'Harsh environmental conditions such as extremes of temperature or wind can dehydrate and damage the lips,' says Dr. Daly. 'UV light has also been demonstrated to lead to reactivation of the virus from its dormant state.'

As with most things in life, even hormonal changes such as menstruating or pregnancy can also be a common trigger for cold sore breakouts.

Photo credit: Rosdiana Ciaravolo - Getty Images
Photo credit: Rosdiana Ciaravolo - Getty Images

What Do Cold Sores Look Like?

Cold sores can vary in appearance depending on how severe the infection is, from small spots to full blown blisters.

'Cold sores typically affect the lips, the skin around the mouth, the nose, cheek and chin. These blisters can appear differently in different skin tones. On white skin tones blisters appear pink whilst on black and brown skin tones blisters are either pink or skin-coloured', explains Dr Winnie Uchendu, Aesthetic and wellness doctor at TWN Clinic.

It's worth also noting that cold sores can sometimes leave pigmentation in their wake: 'Most cold sore breakouts don’t cause scarring, however in black and brown skin tones, cold sores can cause hyperpigmentation (i.e. darkening of the affected skin) if the blisters are actively broken open by rubbing, aggressive washing, scratching or squeezing', says Dr Winnie Uchendu.

So it's important to avoid irritating them even further, as much as possible.

How To Prevent A Cold Sore

'Well-hydrated lips are less likely to have fissures and cracks and therefore are more resilient to environmental factors that can exacerbate cold sores,' explains Dr. Daly.

This means slathering on the lip balm, especially one that boasts an SPF to stop the sunshine from making things worse.

There are also some wellness aspect to consider if you're prone to getting cold sores.

'In people that already carry the dormant virus, cold sores usually erupt following triggers such as colds, fatigue, emotional or physical stress, excessive exposure to sunlight or wind, and trauma to the skin or lips. The key to prevention is to avoid these triggers. Getting enough sleep, having a healthy diet, engaging in effective stress management, avoiding excess sunlight exposure and using daily SPF on the face and lips, can all save you from a cold sore outbreak', advises Dr Uchendu.

That means making sure to get those zzz's in and trying some stress-relieving exercises (trust us, it works).

How To Get Rid Of Cold Sores

We hate to break it to you, but cold sores can't actually be cured.

Once you've been exposed to the virus, it stays in the skin for life. Although cold sores usually clear up after ten days, there are proven ways to speed up the healing process.

Creams like Zovirax and Virasorb (both of which can be purchased over the counter in pharmacies) contain Aciclovir, an antiviral ingredient that inhibits the infection from spreading further. Be sure to dab it on gently as not to irritate the blister.

'In terms of pain relief, creams containing lidocaine, benzocaine and benzyl alcohol can be very effective at settling the uncomfortable symptoms of cold sores. To prevent dryness and cracking from cold sores, creams containing calamine, petroleum and zinc oxide can effectively soften and protect the skin and the lips', explains Dr Nicole Uchendu, Aesthetic and wellness doctor at TWN Clinic.

Cold sore patches, such as Compeed, are also brilliant at easing the pain of lip blisters and protecting against harsh weather, which can sometimes make sores more uncomfortable or dry and flaky. Nail perfect application the first time round by using a magnifying mirror.

Dr Nicole Uchendu advises getting these products on ASAP for them to be the most effective: 'In order for topical creams to be effective, they must be applied in the early stages of the cold sore, before the blisters have appeared, i.e. as soon as you experience itching, pain, tingling or burning.'

Photo credit: Rosdiana Ciaravolo - Getty Images
Photo credit: Rosdiana Ciaravolo - Getty Images

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