Cold sores are quite common, and many people have a cold sore outbreak a few times a year. Itchy, painful, irritated, and sensitive cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and, less commonly, HSV 2. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 3.7 billion people globally have an HSV-1 infection at a given time, which is the main cause of cold sores. Most cold sores go away within a few weeks without treatment. However, multiple over-the-counter (OTC) ways to treat cold sores can help speed healing without needing to see a healthcare provider. Many people use oral treatments for prevention or treatment, explains Allison K. Truong, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, CA. These can reduce symptoms to seven days or prevent the cold sore from forming if you catch it early enough. We surveyed 28 participants to find out which OTC cold sore treatment they tried, how effective it was, and why they liked it. The below over-the-c...
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