Cold Sores Treatment - By: Reyna Flor Nadera

Cold sores can ruin an otherwise good day or more for just about anyone. They can become unsightly, irritating and are also contagious. These are just a few of the reasons, why applying correct treatment, in a timely manner, is so important.

Cold sores are an irritating source of discomfort for anyone that has to experience it. They contain the HSV-1 virus and can remain dormant, but unfortunately the virus can become active without warning. These active viruses form lesions that can cause decreased confidence, spread to objects and potentially contaminate the skin and body of another person. Tingling sensations precede the actual lesion, so you'll want to pay attention to your body. Once there are signs of cold sores, there are ways to treat the outbreak.

The easiest cold sores treatment is over-the-counter medication cream. The cream helps to decrease the irritation and makes people feel better in general. It does not decrease the amount of time it takes to heal the lesions and the effects last approximately for 20-30 minutes. So, it has to be applied continuously throughout the day. One of the more prominent benefits of using a skin cream is that it keeps the lesion moist and can help avoid cracks in the lesion.

Now, if over-the-counter skin cream isn't enough to help alleviate your problems. The next logical step is to use prescription strength skin cream. Acyclovir and penciclovir are both skin medications which can reduce the duration of the outbreak by about half a day. Either of these medications should be used for four continuous days. Acyclovir should be used five times a day and penciclovir should be used every two hours that a person is awake. Prescription strength doesn't mean it is the most effective medication. These creams still have limitations, since they can not thoroughly penetrate the outbreak and enter the HSV-1 virus replication site.

There is another medically proven option left, for fighting cold sores. The FDA has approved of both Zovirax and Valtrex as medicinal pills which can be taken to combat the herpes simplex virus. It has the greatest effectiveness when taken in the early stages of the outbreak. There are possible side effects to taking these pills, such as headache, nausea or diarrhea.

It is common that some people may experience side effects when taking medications for any illness or infection. It is best to consult a doctor before taking any medication. Of course, there are home remedies, not listed, which some people believe are effective against cold sores. There is not enough statistical data which confirms the effectiveness of home remedies and as such, they should be taken with precaution. Cold sores treatment usually is either, over-the-counter medical cream, prescription strength cream or prescription strength pills. Appearances can make or break you at times, so take care and choose the right treatment for yourself, after consulting your doctor.

About the Author

Information about cold sores treatments and to know the symptoms of cold sore. Is there any medications and remedies can be useful for their treatment? Go to: http://www.coldsorestreatment.biz/

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