If you feel the tingling, painful, itching sensation, and you’ve had it before, then you probably know when you’re getting a cold sore, and reach for the cold sores treatments.

However, if it’s the first time you’re getting one, you might not know what cold sores are, or enough about cold sores treatments, to prevent them from getting into full swing – and once they do, the pain and irritation is even worse! Here are a few tips for cold sores treatments that everyone should know.

• The first thing you need to understand about cold sores treatments is that cold sores are a result of the Herpes virus – the same virus that causes chicken pox, shingles, and other diseases. It’s a different strain of Herpes, but the virus is very similar.

• Because cold sores or ‘fever blisters’ are caused by a virus, cold sores treatments with antibiotics, or antiseptics are completely ineffectual. Antibiotics only work on bacteria – not viruses.

• One of the most important aspects of cold sores treatments is to make sure you wash your hands every time you touch the area. The virus is contagious, and it can spread!

• Hand washing can also help to prevent secondary infections, which can complicate cold sores treatments. Wash your hands frequently, as you’d be surprised at how many times a day you touch your mouth without thinking about it!

• In most cases, the best cold sores treatments is to simply wait it out. Like most diseases and problems caused by the HSV-1 strain of herpes, cold sores will dry out and heal on their own, in about a week.

• If your cold sore is taking a long time to heal, or if you are concerned, you can visit your doctor. He or she could prescribe an antiviral medication, like acyclovir, which can help to kill the virus, and speed up recovery.

• You will probably find, whether you choose to use cold sore medication or not, that while you have the sores, some foods, particularly acidic ones, will cause pain or discomfort. Try to avoid getting the juice from oranges, tomatoes and other acidic foods on your cold sores!

• Don’t kiss someone when you have an active cold sore! Cold sores are very contagious, and if you’re kissing someone who’s never been infected, you might just give them the virus!

• Finally, remember that like most strains of herpes, the virus that causes cold sores, the HSV-1 virus, never totally leaves your body. That means that even if you find an effective cold sores treatments, you may still have the virus flare up in the future – when you’re stressed or run down, or just completely out of the blue.

The truth is, when it comes to cold sores treatments, there are plenty of old wives tales out there. The only proven cold sores treatments, however, are prescription anti viral medications – however, the good news is that even without them, your cold sores should clear up within a few days – and if not, it’s time to visit your doctor!

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