![]() People can pass on HSV-1 by sharing objects that touch their lips or face, including razors, lip balm, lipstick, silverware, and drinking glasses. Sharing personal objects like razors and lip balm Stick to a low acid, low salt, relatively bland diet until your sores heal. These foods will irritate your cold sore further, causing added pain. Avoid eating salty foods, like nuts and potato chips. Since a cold sore is a painful open wound, avoiding citrus fruits and other acidic foods, like pickles, is important. Hold off on all sexual activity until your outbreak heals. Though HSV-1 can be transmissible even when you don’t have a cold sore, it is most contagious when you have an active outbreak. People can pass on HSV-1 through close physical contact, like kissing and oral sex. What to avoid with cold sores Kissing and other sexual activity Prescription antiviral medications like valacyclovir (Valtrex) are typically much more effective at treating and preventing cold sores. Home remedies provide relief for some people but do not work for everyone. But several treatment options can ease or shorten the duration and severity of an outbreak.īelow are some of the most effective home remedies for treating cold sores. For those who do, outbreaks can be unavoidable and unpredictable. Not everyone with HSV will get cold sores. Some people never experience another outbreak, while others continue to experience them. After the initial outbreak, HSV remains dormant in your nerve cells. These symptoms tend to last for about 2 to 4 weeks. This initial outbreak is often more severe than subsequent ones and causes flu-like symptoms, including: When a person initially contracts either HSV strain, they usually experience their first outbreak within 3 days to 2 weeks. Many people experience a tingling, burning, or itching sensation about 24 hours before a cold sore appears. What are the other symptoms of an HSV outbreak? That means approximately 2 out of 3 people have HSV-1, and more than 1 in 10 have HSV-2. The World Health Organization estimates that the worldwide frequency of HSV for people under 50 years old is 3.7 billion people for HSV-1 and 491 million people for HSV-2. It remains dormant in the body until it reactivates. While most cold sores occur due to HSV-1, either type can cause these sores.Įxperts sometimes refer to cold sores as mouth herpes, oral herpes, or herpes simplex labialis. Further informationĪlways consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.Cold sores are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which has two types, known as HSV-1 and HSV-2. © Copyright Merative 2023 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. The above information is an educational aid only. ![]() You always have the right to refuse treatment. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You have the right to help plan your care. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.Your skin becomes sensitive and painful when cold is applied.Your symptoms do not improve or you have new symptoms.Clean the container or tub when finished.Gently pat your skin dry when you are done soaking. Soak the area for no longer than 10 minutes.The container should be deep enough to cover the area completely. Fill a clean container or tub with cold water.Leave the compress on your skin for 15 to 20 minutes or as directed.Cover the ice pack or bag of ice with a towel before you apply it to your skin.An ice pack, bag of ice, or bottle filled with cold water can be used as a dry compress.Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to apply the compress each day: Reapply the compress as many times as directed each day.Gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Remove the compress in 10 to 15 minutes or as directed.Place the compress directly on the area.You can place the compress under running water or place it in a bowl with cold water.Use a washcloth, small towel, or gauze as a cold compress.Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to apply a cold compress: How do I prepare and use a moist cold compress? A muscle or joint injury, such as a sprain.A bite or sting by an insect or jellyfish.You may need a cold compress or soak to help manage any of the following: What do I need to know about a cold compress or soak?Ī cold compress or soak helps relieve pain, swelling, and itching.
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