Cold sores are painful blisters that form on the lips or around the mouth.

They're caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), one of the herpes viruses.

There's no cure for cold sores — once you're infected, the herpes virus stays in your body for life.

But most cold sores go away on their own within about two weeks.

First-time cold sores are often the most painful and last the longest. Future outbreaks of cold sores may be less severe.

There are a number of treatments that may be helpful if you have recurrent cold sores or if you have first-time cold sores that cause a lot of pain.

Medications for Cold Sores

Many people need medication the first time they have cold sores.

There are two classes of medications that can be used to treat cold sores:

Antivirals: These medicines help the body fight the herpes virus. They can help to reduce symptoms and make cold sores go away faster.

You'll need a prescription from your doctor for most antiviral medications.

Antivirals come as both oral pills and skin creams.

Common antiviral medications used to treat cold sores include:

  • Zovirax (acyclovir)
  • Famvir (famciclovir)
  • Valtrex (valacyclovir)
  • Abreva (docosanol), which is sold over the counter

Antiviral medications work best when you start taking them early — even before blisters develop.

Some people may need to use antiviral medications continuously if they get cold sores frequently.

Most people with cold sores don't need antiviral treatments.

Analgesics/pain relievers: These drugs treat only the pain associated with cold sores. They don't treat the virus itself.

You can get most analgesics over the counter without a prescription.

Oral pain-relief drugs include:

  • Aspirin
  • Tylenol (acetaminophen)
  • Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen)

There are also gels and ointments that can be applied to cold sores to help relieve pain.

Ointments or gels containing the following active ingredients can help reduce pain from cold sores:

  • Benzocaine
  • Lidocaine
  • Dibucaine
  • Benzyl alcohol

Home Remedies for Cold Sores

You can try the following steps to reduce pain or discomfort from cold sores without medication:

  • Suck on something cool, like ice chips or a popsicle.
  • Apply ice or a warm washcloth to the painful area.
  • Wash the blisters gently using germ-fighting (antiseptic) soap and water, to help prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the body.
  • Avoid hot beverages, citrus fruits, and spicy or salty foods. (These can cause a burning sensation if they touch cold sores.)
  • Apply a skin protectant, such as petroleum jelly, to the sores and the skin around them. (This helps keep the area moist and reduces cracking of skin.)