Soften course & shorten duration – but how?

Cold sores are annoying – especially if they often recur. Read here what can shorten the duration of an outbreak and relieve symptoms.

Some people have cold sores (also called herpes labialis) that keep coming back. This recurring course is due to a special property of the herpes simplex virus that triggers the herpes disease. The virus stays in the human body for life after the first infection.

There, the herpes simplex virus is inactive most of the time – sometimes permanently. However, it can become active again at any time as soon as the immune system is temporarily weakened – for example due to another infection, stress or intense sunlight. This reactivation is typically noticeable as a cold sore, the course of which is often quite painful.

Anyone who has ever had cold sores usually knows what to expect next time: the course of the infection is usually repeated to a large extent with each new outbreak.

It takes a while for the reactivation of the herpes simplex virus to cause the typical visible signs of a cold sore. In the beginning, however, there is often a tingling, burning and/or itching sensation on the lip. Then the affected area reddens and swells.

Externally, cold sores only become clearly recognizable as the disease progresses: 12 to 36 hours after the first symptoms appear, small blisters appear on the lips. Such cold sores or cold sores tear quickly when the mouth moves, resulting in weeping wounds. These are highly contagious – and sensitive: If they come into contact with acid (e.g. in food), it can sometimes hurt badly.

The wounds crust over as they heal. The scabs, like the blisters, can easily tear and bleed. After a few days they fall off – and the cold sore is over. Eventually the redness will go away.

If the herpes infection breaks out again, it is often in the same place as before. Such relapses usually occur once or twice a year. But up to ten percent of those affected get cold sores at least five times a year. In the course of life, however, the associated symptoms often decrease.

In otherwise healthy people, cold sores go away on their own. In other words: the course is self-limiting. It usually takes about one to two weeks from the onset of the first symptoms to the scabs falling off.

If you want to get rid of the cold sores faster, you can use an antiviral agent against cold sores. This shortens the duration of the outbreak by about a day. Sometimes treatment can also control the infection so that fewer blisters and crusts form.

Most virus-inhibiting agents against cold sores contain aciclovir or penciclovir as the active ingredient. They are available, for example, as creams or ointments for application – including a combination of aciclovir and hydrocortisone. Such preparations for local use are all available without a prescription in pharmacies.

However, a noticeable effect can only be achieved if the treatment of cold sores begins in the early stages (i.e. as soon as an outbreak is announced or at the latest 24 hours later). It is also important to use the product regularly according to the instructions for use.

If the treatment of the cold sore is delayed, the duration of the outbreak can often no longer be influenced. If you get cold sores more often, it is best to always have a virus-inhibiting agent in your medicine chest.

Cold sores often show a recurring course. An outbreak is often announced by tingling or itching before the typical cold sores appear hours to a day and a half later. If left untreated, it takes about one to two weeks for the cold sore to heal. If you want to shorten the duration a little, you can use an antiviral agent such as aciclovir. But be careful: In order to be effective, the treatment should start right at the beginning stage.