We won't sugarcoat it. As you may know, having a cold sore can be painful. And you probably want to get over your cold sore as fast as possible. The truth is, each episode (also called an outbreak) can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days, and comes in the following stages:
- The tingle stage (days 1-2). In the beginning, you will notice a sense of tingling or soreness.
- The blister stage (days 2-3). A bunch of fluid-filled blisters will show up on or around your mouth.
- The ulcer stage (day 4). The blisters will pop shortly after they have formed.
- The crusting stage (days 5-8). The popped blisters will become dry and scab over.
- The final healing stage (days 8+). Eventually scabs will form and then flake off.
The stages above are a guide so you know what to expect. So if you get a cold sore a few times a year, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and find out about your treatment options. Maybe you thought over-the-counter (OTC) creams were your only option, but only a prescription cream has antiviral activity. ZOVIRAX® (acyclovir) Cream 5% is one of them.
ZOVIRAX Cream: Antiviral Action For Any Stage.
When you start to feel that tingle outside your mouth—like on your lip or on that space between your top lip and nose—it might be another cold sore coming on. That means you've got to jump on it fast—no matter what stage it's in. Tingle. Blister. It doesn't matter. With an antiviral prescription like ZOVIRAX Cream, you may reduce the length of time you have a recurrent cold sore. So it's important to have a tube of ZOVIRAX Cream handy for your next cold sore.