How long does it take for a cold sore to go away?

Question

I got one last night, and I started treating it today.

Answer 1

it depends on the strength of your immune system and the severity of the trigger which brought on the sore.  Most cold sores, treated appropriately will heal in a week...but I've seen some last six weeks.

Answer 2

I actually just got one on Sunday and have been putting Abreva on it. It was bad, lip swollen, big blister. gross I know. but today you can barely see it!! great for the weekend.

Answer 3

It all depends on the treatment you use and how bad of a case it is.  

Some treatments claim a day or two.  In my experience it takes a week.  

I hate cold sores. sighhh

Answer 4

Even if  you don't use anything to treat it, a cold sore will go away on its own in a week to 10 days.  

Many of us already have the cold sore virus dormant in our bodies, and never have a flare up of cold sores.  We contracted it as children, as it is a very common virus, and children pick it up easily as they often share food and drinks, and may be less concerned about hand washing and hygiene.   Cold sores can be transmitted even when the person does not have a cold sore, though it is less likely to happen then.  

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...