A cold sore, which is an inflamed blister that appears in or around the mouth, is an infection formed by the herpes simplex virus. While there isn’t a cure for cold sores as of yet, there are ways to help ease the pain of them when they occur.
1. Keep your hands away from your face. Don’t touch or pick at the cold sore, as this could cause you to spread it to another area of your body as well as to someone else. It also slows the healing process if it is being tampered with. If you have touched your face since it has appeared, wash your hands immediately after contact.
2. Apply a cold compress. Wet a towel into some cold water and then apply to the affected area three times a day for 10 minutes. This helps reduce pain, redness, and swelling. It also removes the crusty layer that forms and helps you heal in a quicker manner.
3. Watch your diet. Try to stay away from acidic foods, such as fruits and tomatoes, during this time and consume vitamin C tablets instead. This will help your body fight against the infection without irritating the skin.
4. Take medication as needed. You may have to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain or swelling. Follow the instructions given on the bottle and consume as needed throughout the day.
5. Use an ointment. There are many cold sore treatment creams available at your pharmacy. Keep a tube on-hand for flare-ups to help heal quickly.