How do I get rid of a cold sore really quickly? (3 days)?

Question

I've had this cold sore that's been bothering me for three days now...I've tried EVERYTHING that I could find that didn't include popping it. Salt, toothpaste, Abreeva, ice...NOTHING is working! It just won't DIE!!! I have an I.D. picture that I need to take at work on Tue. (today is Sat.) and it will be hanging around my neck for the next couple years of my life! PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer 1

If you have had it for three days, the cold sore will have to run its course.

There is no over-the-counter medication or home remedy that cures cold sores.  Only time will take care of that.  But there is a good prescription medication for cold sores.  It will make them go away much faster, and as a result of taking this medication you will have far fewer outbreaks of cold sores.

The absolute best treatment for cold sores is a prescription medication in pill form called Valtrex.  It was intended for genital herpes, but cold sores are caused by the same family of viruses, and Valtrex stops colds sores in their tracks.  None of the other treatments come close to the effectiveness of Valtrex, not the ointment Zovirax, and certainly not Abreva or anything else.  Ask your doctor about it to see if you would be a good candidate for this medication.  My doctor prescribed it for me for cold sores about five years ago and after taking it only a couple of times I hardly ever get a cold sore any more, and before Valtrex I was having several attacks a year.  On the rare occasions that I do get one now, it is gone almost immediately when I take the medication - in about a day.    In the meantime, here are a couple of informative links.

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-t...

http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/ach...

Answer 2

Try eating a lot of fish (salmon, sardines, tuna) and take fish oil pills. Whole grains also work because of their high B vitamin content.