Health
Ask a doc: ‘How can I get rid of a cold sore as quickly as possible?’
You woke up with an unsightly cold sore — but hiding out at home isn’t an option.
What can you do?
First, you’re not alone. Up to 80% of American adults have the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which can cause cold sores (also known as fever blisters), according to Johns Hopkins.
The viral infection can cause small, fluid-filled lesions, or blisters, to form on and around the lips or inside the mouth.
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They can sometimes show up around the nose or cheeks.
“While there is no cure, cold sores typically resolve on their own within one to two weeks,” said Dr. Robert Biernbaum, chief medical officer at WellNow Urgent Care in Chicago.
Up to 80% of American adults have the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), which can cause cold sores (also known as fever blisters). (iStock)
Fox News Digital consulted with experts to determine the best course of action for dealing with an unsightly flare-up.
Here are five smart tips.
1. Treat it right away
Taking quick action is important when dealing with a cold sore, they agreed.
“This will help it go away the fastest and heal quicker,” said Dr. Laura Purdy, a board-certified family medicine physician in Brentwood, Tennessee.
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Purdy suggested purchasing an over-the-counter antiviral ointment or cream, such as Abreva.
Biernbaum also suggested trying OTC pain reliever creams like lidocaine and benzocaine to help numb the burning sensation that can come with cold sores.
2. Consider home remedies
Apple cider vinegar may be effective for some, Purdy suggested, as long as the skin doesn’t get too irritated.
“This is a great option because it’s known to combat germs, viruses and other bacteria,” she told Fox News Digital.
Aloe vera can also have antiviral effects, she added.
Doctors suggest purchasing an over-the-counter antiviral ointment or cream to treat a cold sore right away. (iStock)
“Honey is another great option that may work for you, since it is known to help with skin wounds and injuries,” Purdy said.
“Of course, this is all personal preference and takes a little trial and error.”
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When trying a new home remedy for a cold sore, Purdy said to start out with a small amount to make sure you don’t have any adverse skin reactions.
Using cool compresses — such as ice or cold, wet rags — can help reduce pain and redness, Biernbaum added.
3. Build up your immune system
The key to clearing a cold sore is building the immune system back up, according to Dr. Heather Hinshelwood, chief medical officer at The Fraum Center for Restorative Health on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
“That’s why they show up — your immune system loses control of a dormant virus,” she told Fox News Digital.
The key to clearing a cold sore is building the immune system back up, a doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
To clear up cold sores, Hinshelwood recommended a multi-pronged attack: vitamin C, L-Lysine and Abreva, which are all available over the counter.
“Use these as quickly as possible, even before the actual abruption,” she suggested.
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“If you can get a prescription for Valacyclovir (a prescription antiviral medication), that can help as well. Bottom line — building your immune system back up is key to clearing a cold sore.”
4. See a doctor
For persistent or painful cold sores, you may want to see a doctor to get a prescription antiviral medication.
For persistent or painful cold sores, you may want to see a doctor to get a prescription antiviral medication, experts suggested. (iStock)
“If you are experiencing swelling or discomfort, visit your local urgent care or primary care provider,” Biernbaum recommended.
“A provider can provide prescription topical creams and, if appropriate, antiviral medications at the onset of an outbreak to help speed the healing process.”
5. Follow best practices
While waiting for a blister to clear up, the experts recommend resisting the urge to touch or pick at an open cold sore, as this can cause infection or prolong the healing process.
Biernbaum also suggests keeping your lips moisturized.
“Also avoid acidic foods and sun exposure, as these can be triggers,” he added.
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Health
Switching from cigarettes to vapes linked to higher risk of major eye diseases, large study finds
US cigarette smoking drops to record low, vaping and nicotine pouch use surges
Fox News medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel discusses a New England Journal of Medicine study reporting US adult cigarette smoking rates dropped to a record low of 9.9% in 2024. Siegel warns about the addictive nature of vaping and nicotine pouches, which contain high levels of nicotine. He expresses concern over potential GI tract and heart issues, stressing social media’s role in promoting these products to younger generations.
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Switching from cigarettes to electronic vapes is often seen as a healthier move, but a massive nationwide study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that smokeless alternatives could increase the risk of serious eye diseases compared to quitting nicotine altogether.
Researchers from the Korea University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, analyzed health data from a group of 179,273 adults through the Korean National Health Insurance Service, according to a press release.
All participants had smoked traditional cigarettes between 2011 and 2012 and then quit smoking by 2018 or 2019, they reported.
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To ensure a fair comparison, the researchers paired up participants who shared similar backgrounds, including their age, gender, medical history, existing health conditions and general lifestyle habits.
Switching from cigarettes to electronic vapes is often seen as a healthier move, but a large study suggests it could pose a risk to eye health. (iStock)
This process created a balanced group of 32,316 matched participants, who were divided into two categories: complete quitters who stopped using all nicotine products and those who transitioned to smokeless nicotine products, such as vapes.
The researchers followed the participants for an average of 4.6 years to determine whether they developed eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and focus-related eyesight disorders.
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Over the tracking period, the group experienced a total of 6,328 major eye disease events. People who quit nicotine entirely had the lowest disease rate in the study, at 41.1 cases per 1,000 person-years (a measure that accounts for both the number of people in the study and how long they were followed).
In comparison, that rate rose to 44 cases for individuals who had switched over to smokeless alternatives like vapes.
The people included in the study were divided into two main categories: complete quitters who stopped using all nicotine products, and switchers who transitioned to smokeless tobacco or nicotine products, like vapes. (iStock)
Ultimately, the data showed that switching to alternative nicotine products carried a steady 7% increased risk of serious eye diseases compared to quitting nicotine completely.
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Most notably, those who switched faced a 24% higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Additionally, those who ditched cigarettes for vapes had a 7% higher risk of developing refractive and accommodation disorders, which affect the eye’s ability to focus clearly.
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“These findings challenge the assumption that substituting noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products for conventional cigarettes is visually harmless,” the researchers noted.
“These findings challenge the assumption that substituting noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products for conventional cigarettes is visually harmless,” the researchers noted. (iStock)
The authors did point out a few limitations of the research. Because this was a study looking back at health insurance data, it cannot definitively prove that vaping directly causes eye damage.
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Additionally, the study relied on people filling out questionnaires about their own smoking and vaping habits, which can sometimes lead to underreporting or simple memory errors.
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Still, the researchers concluded the findings suggest that replacing cigarettes with alternative nicotine products may not eliminate the risk of certain eye diseases.
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