Online treatment for Cold Sore

Virtual consultations are just $39. Don’t wait to seek help for a cold sore! Get treated at the first sign of a blister on your lips through our cold sore treatment online. Get your cold sore prescription online today!

Book Consultation ($59.99)
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How It Works

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Online Form

Complete a quick online intake visit form anywhere on your phone or computer.

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Online Visit

Complete a phone or online visit to get treated online with one of our experienced doctors.

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Prescription

We make it easy to get a prescription online by sending prescriptions to your selected pharmacy. You will be issued a full refund if we cannot treat you.

Get Cold Sore Prescription Online - Start Treatment with an Online Doctor for Cold Sore

Same-day online doctor visits from a phone, tablet or computer. No need to make an appointment and wait for hours to be seen. Complete a consultation form, and a doctor will start treatment. Cold Sore medication online is issued by a board-certified licensed medical provider and sent directly to your local pharmacy. Some symptoms of oral herpes include painful ulcers, commonly known as fever blisters or cold sores. They appear on the lips or all around the mouth. Infected persons typically experience tingling, itching, or burning around the mouth right before the appearance of the cold sores. Effective medications recommended for the treatment of oral herpes are antiviral medications, such as valacyclovir, acyclovir, and famciclovir. These medications can prevent cold sores or shorten outbreaks. Daily suppressive therapy can also reduce the likelihood of transmission to partners.

What Is a Cold Sore?

A cold sore is a small blister filled with fluid that usually appears on or around the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), usually HSV-1 but also HSV-2. Stress, tiredness, being in the sun, hormonal changes, and sickness (like the flu or cold) can cause cold sores to appear. Stay away from infected people, don't share personal things, and practice good hygiene to lower your risk of spreading the virus. Putting on lip balm with sunscreen can also help stop breakouts caused by the sun. Once someone gets infected with HSV, the virus stays in their body but is dormant. It can wake up and cause cold sores to appear again and again.

What Causes a Cold Sore?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the leading cause of cold sores. This virus comes in two different types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 usually causes cold sores, but they can also be caused by HSV-2, which is generally found in people with genital herpes.

Initial HSV infection is spread through kissing or sharing utensils, towels, or razors with someone with an active cold sore for HSV-1 and through sexual interaction for HSV-2. When HSV enters the body, it goes to nerve cells and can stay there long without doing anything. There are no symptoms during times of dormancy.

When the immune system becomes weaker due to stress, viruses spread throughout the body. Infections like the flu or a cold can also trigger a spread. Lack of sleep or being too tired can make the body less resistant to illness. In addition, below are some other triggers for HSV reactivation in the body;

  • Changes in hormones, like those during menstruation, can cause a rash.
  • The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can make cold sores return, especially on the lips.
  • An outbreak can happen if the skin around the lips is injured, like when dental work or cosmetic procedures are performed.
  • HIV/AIDS or chemotherapy, which weakens the immune system, can make attacks happen more often.
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Symptoms of Cold Sore

As a cold sore worsens, it goes through different stages, and the symptoms can change with each step. These are the usual symptoms:

  • You may feel tingly, itchy, or burning around your lips or face before the cold sore shows up. This could last a few hours or a few days.
  • After the prodrome stage, small, painful bumps or blisters filled with clear fluid appear on or near the lips. Bumps like these can also show up on the nose, cheeks, or inside the mouth.
  • Eventually, the blisters will burst, leaving small, open sores that leak fluid. These sores are the most contagious form of a cold sore and can be very painful.
  • As the sores dry out, they turn into a yellow or brown crust or scab. The scab may break or bleed as the wounds heal.
  • The scabs come off, and the skin gets better. After the scabs fall off, the skin may be red or swell for a few days. The cycle usually lasts between 7 and 10 days.
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Other symptoms include;

  • When a cold sore is in its blister or ulcer stage, the area around it can be painful.
  • A swollen area may be present around the affected area.
  • Some people may get a fever, especially during their first attack.
  • Sometimes, especially during the first breakout, you may have a sore throat or swollen lymph nodes.
  • You may also get a headache, especially when the infection starts.

Treatment Options for Cold Sore

Cold sores can be treated in several ways that can help lessen the intensity and length of an outbreak, ease symptoms, and stop them from happening again. There are over-the-counter and prescription refill drugs in this group of treatments. These are some popular ways to treat it:

  • Docosanol (Abreva) cream, when applied directly to the cold sore, can help it heal faster if used as soon as the symptoms appear.
  • Penciclovir, also known as Denavir, is another topical antiviral that can shorten the length of an outbreak.
  • Benzocaine or lidocaine-based creams or ointments can help numb the area and ease the pain
  • Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help manage pain and reduce swelling.
  • Acyclovir, sold under the brand name Zovirax, can be taken as soon as symptoms appear and can help lessen the intensity and length of an outbreak.
  • Valacyclovir, sold under the brand name Valtrex, is a prodrug of acyclovir that the body can take more easily. It is used to treat cold sores.
  • Famciclovir, also known as Famvir, is another antiviral drug that can help you get better faster.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Salt water helps cold sores but doesn't cure them. Instead, it can reduce symptoms and improve healing. Salt water's natural antibacterial characteristics can clean and prevent subsequent bacterial infections. Salt water may speed cold sore healing by drying it out. Rinsing with salt water reduces cold, painful inflammation, and agony. Salt water does not kill the cold sore-causing herpes simplex virus. It merely treats symptoms and promotes healing. Salting the sore might hurt and exacerbate it. For optimal effects, salt water should be used with antivirals, over-the-counter medicines, and home cures. Consult a doctor for personalised advice and treatment plan for frequent or severe cold sores.

Most cold sores heal independently in 7 to 10 days, but it can take up to 2 weeks to completely disappear. The steps and symptoms are usually the same, but the length of time can differ for each person. How long it takes to heal depends on the person's immune system, whether they use antiviral drugs and their overall health.

To prevent cold sores, avoid triggers and stay healthy to boost your immune system. The methods below can help you prevent cold sores; Cold sores are contagious, so avoid contact, such as kissing and sharing utensils, lip balm, and towels, with an infected person. Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your face, mouth, and eyes. Stress can trigger cold sores; manage stress with exercise, meditation, and sleep. Sunlight exposure also triggers cold sores. Wear SPF lip balm and a hat in the sun. Eat well, exercise, sleep well, and hydrate. For immunological health, supplement with vitamins C and E. Discuss antiviral drugs with your doctor if you have regular outbreaks. These minimise cold sore frequency and intensity. Cold sores are more likely on dry, cracked lips. Regularly use lip balm to moisturise lips.

The herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores is much more likely to be spread when you kiss someone who has one. The virus is very easy to spread, especially when the spots are open and actively spreading the virus. The chance of spreading is biggest when a cold sore is still open. The virus might be in the fluid that comes out of the boils. There may not be any spots on the skin around the mouth or in the saliva. However, the virus may still be there. This is known as shedding without symptoms. If you want to keep from spreading the cold sore, don't kiss or be close to someone with one. Also, don't share things you might put your mouth on, like towels, lip balm, and tools.

Most cold sores heal independently in 7 to 10 days, but they can take up to 2 weeks to disappear completely. The steps and symptoms are usually the same, but the length of time can differ for each person. How long it takes to heal depends on the person's immune system, whether they use antiviral drugs and their overall health.

To prevent cold sores, avoid triggers and stay healthy to boost your immune system. The methods below can help you prevent cold sores;

  • Cold sores are contagious, so avoid contact, such as kissing and sharing utensils, lip balm, and towels, with an infected person.
  • Keep your hands clean and avoid touching your face, mouth, and eyes.
  • Stress can trigger cold sores; manage stress with exercise, meditation, and sleep.
  • Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help manage pain and reduce swelling.
  • Sunlight exposure also triggers cold sores. Wear SPF lip balm and a hat in the sun.
  • Eat well, exercise, sleep well, and hydrate. Supplement with vitamins C and E for immunological health.
  • If you have regular outbreaks, discuss antiviral drugs with your doctor. These minimize cold sore frequency and intensity.
  • Cold sores are more likely on dry, cracked lips. Regularly use lip balm to moisturize lips.

The herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores is much more likely to be spread when you kiss someone who has one. The virus is very easy to spread, especially when the spots are open and actively spreading the virus. The chance of spreading is biggest when a cold sore is still open. The virus might be in the fluid that comes out of the boils. There may not be any spots on the skin around the mouth or in the saliva. However, the virus may still be there. This is known as shedding without symptoms. If you want to keep from spreading the cold sore, don't kiss or be close to someone with one. Also, don't share things you might put your mouth on, like towels, lip balm, and tools.

Yes, same-day online doctor visits from a phone, tablet or computer. No need to make an appointment and wait for hours to be seen. Complete a consultation form, and a doctor will start treatment. Cold Sore medication online is issued by a board-certified licensed medical provider and sent directly to your local pharmacy. Some symptoms of oral herpes include painful ulcers, commonly known as fever blisters or cold sores. They appear on the lips or all around the mouth. Infected persons typically experience tingling, itching, or burning around the mouth right before the appearance of the cold sores. Effective medications recommended for the treatment of oral herpes are antiviral medications, such as valacyclovir, acyclovir, and famciclovir. These medications can prevent cold sores or shorten outbreaks. Daily suppressive therapy can also reduce the likelihood of transmission to partners.

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