For many people, cold sores are apart of life. Oral herpes, more commonly known as a cold sore or fever blisters are located around the mouth or directly on the lip. Oral herpes is a cluster of blisters, often very red in color that contain a clear liquid. They are highly contagious, and are transmitted from one person to another through touch. Once an outbreak occurs, the blisters usually last a minimum of two weeks, however can last longer.
Cold sores can be very painful. Once the blisters start to burst, a crust forms over the cluster, and is dry. As one talks or smiles, the area stretches, causing additional pain and discomfort. This is why finding oral herpes treatment as soon as the first blister erupts is a priority. The treatment options will help to relieve the pain, reduce swelling and help to shorten the length that one is effected by the cold sore.
The most common type of Treatment for oral herpes is with ointments. Most ointments can be found at the local drugstore, and are over the counter. The ointment is applied directly to the blisters. The ointment will help to provide pain relief to the cold sore, and help to reduce some swelling. This is the first level of treatment, and is effective in providing relief.
The next step in oral herpes treatment is through creams. Creams can be found in over the counter, or can be a prescription that is given by the doctors. Creams provide additional pain relief for more sever cold sores. When ointments are no longer providing necessary relief then the next step is to talk to your doctor to get a prescription.
The final level of oral herpes treatment is to get a prescription for pills. People who are effected by cold sores more often, will seek the option to have a prescription. At the first sign of a cold sore, two pills are taken, the final dose is taken 12 hours later. These pills will help to shorten the duration of the cold sore and to help manage how painful it can be.
All three options will help management of pain and to shorten the duration of the outbreak. Once one is effected by a cold sore, they will always be susceptible to the virus. There is no cure for the virus, however there are many types of relief that one can get.
