Anyone who has had cold sores knows that they are painful and not very pretty to look at. This leads many to seek the best treatment options available. Many times this is a prescription medication for cold sores.
A cold sore is an outbreak of the herpes simplex virus. At some point in a person’s life, they were exposed to an infected person and the virus entered their system through an abrasion or cut in the skin. Once there, it remains for life, often lying dormant for years until the conditions for an outbreak occur.
The first outbreak can be particularly difficult, which is why many people seek prescription cold sore medications rather than over-the-counter medications or home remedies. The most commonly used prescription treatment for cold sores is a topical antiviral ointment. We will look at some of these below.
– Penciclovir is a prescription antiviral cream to treat cold sores
– Valtrax is a traditional treatment for shingles and genital herpes, however it may be effective in treating simple viral outbreaks.
– Acyclovir is also an antiviral that is used to treat a number of viral infections, genital herpes, shingles, cold sores, and more. This antiviral can come in an oral treatment or in ointments of different concentrations.
These are the three most popular options for treating herpes simplex 1 or common cold sores. Recently there has been debate as to which of these is a better treatment. The obvious answer is that it is best determined by your healthcare professional. However, some comparative studies between aciclovir and penciclovir have been carried out and the results suggest that the latter is better.
All the tests and studies also show that the sooner you start any treatment, the less time it will take to heal. So, if you are prone to frequent outbreaks, it would be wise to keep a supply of your prescription cold sore medication on hand so you can treat it right away. The crucial time period is when the area first begins to tingle; this is a sign that a cold sore is imminent. Apply a topical antiviral as soon as you feel a cold sore and it will greatly lessen its effect.
Finally, although treatment is necessary for the healing process, it is also important to practice good hygiene just before and during an outbreak. This will prevent the spread of the virus to other people, as well as to other areas of your body.