Cold Sore
Cold sores are common and usually clear up on their own within 10 days. They’re contagious until they go away.
A cold sore usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning feeling.
Cold sores should start to heal within 10 days, but may spread and be irritating or painful while they heal.
Some people find that certain things trigger a cold sore, such as another illness, sunshine or periods.
A pharmacist can help with treatment:
A pharmacist can recommend:
- creams to ease pain and irritation
- antiviral creams to speed up healing time
- cold sore patches to protect the skin while it heals
You can buy electronic devices from pharmacies that treat cold sores with light or lasers. Some people find these helpful, but there haven't been many studies to find out if they work.
If you regularly get cold sores, use antiviral creams as soon as you recognise the early tingling feeling. They don't always work after blisters appear.