Q&A for How to Get Rid of a Cold Sore Fast

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How do I stop getting cold sores?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

Eating a diet rich in the amino acid lysine, which is found in meat, fish, and dairy, may help prevent cold sores. You can also take a supplement that contains lysine, zinc, and vitamin C to help prevent sores from forming. However, foods that are rich in arginine, like nuts, grains, chocolate, and refined sugars, may make you more likely to develop cold sores.

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Question

How can I prevent a cold sore?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

There is some evidence that eating a diet rich in the amino acid lysine can help prevent cold sores. You can get this acid in things like meat, fish, and dairy. Avoid arginine-rich foods like nuts, grain, chocolate, and refined sugars. A lysine, zinc, and a vitamin C, supplement may help prevent cold sores as well.

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Question

Does bursting the blister on the cold sore speed up the healing process?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

No. Cold sores heal from the inside out. The blister keeps it covered and helps the healing process, sort of like a bandaid. Bursting the blister will open the sore and cause it to hurt more, while the drainage can make it spread.

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Question

Is it possible to spread the virus to my nose? I've recently started to get sores on the side of my nose, especially after a cold. I'm guessing it is from blowing my nose during those times.

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

Cold sores can spread quickly. Yes, you may well have spread it there when blowing your nose.

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Question

I have a cold sore. What's the fastest way to get rid of it?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

You might want to see your doctor to see if he or she wants to give you a topical medication or am antiviral medication.

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Question

My cold sore is better but I still have a sore on my lip. How can I heal it?

Marsha Durkin, RN
Registered Nurse
Marsha Durkin is a Registered Nurse based in Waukegan, Illinois. With over 15 years of professional experience, she works both as a nurse and a Laboratory Information Specialist for Insight Hospital and Medical Center. Marsha received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Olney Central College in 1987.

Marsha Durkin, RN

Registered Nurse

Expert Answer

There are several brands of over-the-counter cold sore medicines that will help it heal. Ask a pharmacist if you need help finding one at the drug store.

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Question

How can I help treat my child's cold sore?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

Try applying a 1% topical ointment of lemon balm oil at the start of the cold sore to help it heal faster. A 0.5% aloe vera extract in cream form can also be helpful. You can also mix 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil with 3 drops of bergamot and 2 drops of tea tree essential oil in 1 ounce of a carrier oil, and apply it topically to the cold sore.

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