Cold Sore Remedies You Need to Know About Cold sore remedies that effectively ease the pain and reduce the duration of the nasty and embarrassing blisters that appear around the mouth and lips can be priceless to anyone who frequently suffers from this incurable viral infection. As disheartening as it is to learn that there is no cure for cold sores and that once you’ve caught the virus it stays in your body forever, there is good news for cold sore sufferers. There are new and effective cold sore remedies that not only reduce the pain of the cold sore, but also drastically reduce the time that these unwanted blisters will hang around. Topical cold sore remedies include ointments and skin creams that contain benzyl alcohol or lidocaine. The active ingredient in these ointments can stop the spread of the cold sore and limit the amount of time a cold sore hangs around. The key to the effectiveness of these anti-viral ointments is to apply them immediately after feeling that all too familiar tingling on the lips and mouth area. Oral cold sore remedies have been proven to be the most effective cold sore remedies. The prescribed drug, Valtrax can actually prevent the fever blister from swelling and bursting open if taken at the immediate onset of the cold sore. Valtrax also cuts down the duration of the cold sore if it’s taken right away. Although cold sore remedies have come a long way, the best cold sore remedy is prevention. Steer clear of conditions that typically cause a cold sore outburst in your life, such as stress, over tiredness or too much sun. And if you didn’t manage to get some medication quick enough and you’re faced with a full blown cold sore attack then consider time and patience to be key cold sore remedies. Keep your hands off your face and give yourself about two weeks and the cold sore will go away on its own.