What is the best remedy for cold sores?… by yahoot

February 14, 2006 · Filed Under valtrex 

I get a cold sore at least once every quarter. I've tried various over the counter the counter medications and there were no significant improvements. I've also heard about devices such as Cold Sore Eliminator and Dermaseptic, but they seem gimicky.


Best Answer:


Cold sores are actually caused by a virus that usually stays inactive in your body but sort of takes over in times of stress – such as when you are sick, get too much sun, have difficult things happening in your life, etc. Once you have the cold sore virus in your body it is always there – you can't actually get rid of it, but you can certainly get it under excellent control. There are no over the counter meds that work for cold sores. Stuff that you put on the cold sore may help with the soreness and pain, but most of it doesn't actually attack the virus itself. You need a prescription med called Valtrex. It is a big blue pill. Valtrex is actually prescribed for genital herpes, but the cold sore virus is from the same family, and Valtrex stops a cold sore in its tracks. Valtrex attacks the virus itself, not just the symptoms. Since I first took Valtrex about five years ago, I have rarely had a cold sore, and never had one develop fully. You take Valtrex for only a couple of days when you first feel the tingle of a cold sore starting.
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