Cold sores and canker sores are two different things and so treatment is different for both.
“Cold sores are blisters, caused by the herpes virus, that often form around the lips, although they can also form on the gums or the roof of the mouth. Once the blister pops, a scab forms,” explains Jin Lin, DMD, pediatric dentist with Hurst Pediatric Dentistry.
“Canker sores, in contrast, are small ulcers that appear inside your mouth, often on the inside of your cheeks or lips,” he continues. “They typically have a white, yellow, or grayish center and a red border. The exact cause of canker sores is unknown, but common triggers include stress and trauma to soft tissues in the oral cavity—for example if you bite the inside of your cheek.”
Most medications aimed at treating cold sores are antivirals in order to stop the herpes virus from replicating. This means they won’t work on canker sores, where there is no virus.
In addition, says Chris Airey, MD, Medical Director at Optimale, “most cold sore medicine you can buy without a prescription is not meant to be ingested and is intended for topical use.” So you can’t apply them inside your mouth. One notable exception is Zilactin, which is safe for inside your mouth. Its active ingredient is benzyl alcohol, which helps numb the pain of canker sores and cold sores, though it doesn’t treat cold sores in the same way as Abreva.
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Understanding cold soresCauses:A cold sore is a form of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which is closely related to the herpes virus that causes genital herpes (HSV-2). But don’t be alarmed. HSV-1 is not always spread through sexual contact. Cold sores can be spread by indirect contact, such as from shari…
TreatmentSome treatments offer a one-time application, with stronger ingredients designed to attack the cold sore and begin healing it, while others require continuous use. It depends on whether the product’s purpose is pain relief or speeding up the healing process. Ointments and creams: The…
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apply to affected area on the face or lips at the first sign of cold sore/fever blister (tingle). early treatment ensures the best results. rub in gently but completely. use 5 times a day until …
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Your doctor can usually diagnose cold sores just by looking at them. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor might take a sample from the blister for testing in a laboratory.
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Cold Sore / Fever Blister Treatment . Non-prescription medicine to shorten healing time* Cold sore treatment; For Topical use only; NET WT 2g (0.07 OZ) *This …
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The Tan Sheet Executive Summary Avanir Pharmaceuticals' 10% docosanol cream was approved July 25 for the treatment of cold sores and fever blisters. The product, which …
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Feb 16, 2019 . Put a little oil on a q-tip and gently apply it to the blister and surrounding areas frequently each day. 4. Vitamin E oil Vitamin E oil is an anti-oxidant that can help reduce …
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Management and Treatment How do you get rid of a cold sore? Although it may take a while to get rid of a cold sore, some medicines can shorten the healing time and make the symptoms …
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There is no cure for the herpes simplex virus nor is there a vaccine, but there is effective fever blister treatment. You can treat the blister or the area where you feel the pre-blister tingling …
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Abreva Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment Pump - 0.07 oz Type: Docosanol 10%.. UPC bar code 307660811640. 1 Media, 171 Hits
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Health Care ; OTC Medications Treatments; Abreva Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment.07-Ounce Tube; $7 Abreva Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment.07-Ounce Tube Health …
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And don’t forget to keep your immune system boosted by eating healthy foods, getting regular chiropractic care, and avoiding triggers to lessen the likelihood of recurrence. What are your tried and true methods of treating fever blisters and cold sores?
Others are creams to be applied to the sores several times a day. In general, the pills work better than the creams. For very severe infections, some antiviral drugs can be given with an injection. The over-the-counter cold sore ointment docosanol (Abreva) may shorten the healing time of a cold sore.
There is no cure for cold sores, but there are ways to treat the symptoms and prevent new outbreaks. What are the symptoms of cold sores? Cold sores start with an itchy and tingling sensation usually on the mouth, lips or nose and may form small blisters that crust after 3 days.
Cold sores or “herpes labialis” or fever blisters refer to tiny, fluid-filled, painful, reddish blisters. They form around the mouth, beneath the lower lip, on the roof of the mouth and around the nostrils.
Abreva is great for abbreviating cold sores. It’s the only FDA-approved, non-prescription medicine to treat cold sores with the active ingredient Docosanol. The sooner you catch the initial signs of a cold sore, the better this cream works to block the virus that causes it.
Denavir (Penciclovir 1 percent cream) is FDA-approved for recurrent cold sores. 2 Starting treatment within one hour of an outbreak can reduce healing time by two days, as well as reduce symptoms. Denavir can also decrease the duration of viral shedding. Overall, the earlier Denavir is started, the better the benefits.
Cold sore medications, both prescription and OTC, rely on a variety of different active ingredients to offer relief and healing, per Dr. Shainhouse. There are drying agents (Domeboro solution, calamine lotion, zinc oxide, witch hazel), which when dabbed on the sore help dry up the blister and its fluid.
While it won't zap cold sores overnight, aloe vera has been found to reduce the pain associated with cold sores. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E, which may help to expedite the healing process.