Creams and Ointments
Sometimes, lotions or gels used topically are used to cure cold sores. Numerous pharmaceutical drugs have the potential to slightly reduce the duration of cold sores, typically by just one or two days. However, even when used frequently, every two hours while a person is awake, at the earliest indication of an outbreak, some experts have found that nonprescription topical treatments may only hasten healing by a few hours or a day.
Penciclovir cream (Denavir), an antiviral cream, may shorten the healing process by one to two days, mainly if the cold sore is brought on by exposure to sunshine. Additionally, it lessens the cold sores’ discomfort, stinging, burning, and tenderness. When administered, penciclovir cream may have unpleasant side effects like slight soreness or stinging. Although extremely unlikely, the cream may potentially result in a headache or skin rash.
Applying acyclovir ointment or cream is preferable as soon as cold sore symptoms appear. Mild soreness or stinging at the application site are possible side effects of the ointment. Acyclovir cream has received FDA approval to treat recurrent cold sores in patients over 12. The cream has the potential to cut the healing time in half. In addition, the cream could temporarily irritate the skin.
