Cold sores are typically triggered by specific situations or conditions.1 Fatigue, contact with an infected person, exposure to too much sunlight and stress are a few of the most common triggers of cold sores. Because these triggers are common issues that most people deal with on a daily basis, no one is safe from cold sores. This is why it is important to know your body, and to understand the process of the dealing with cold sores appropriately.
4 Tips for Dealing with Cold Sores:2
1- Use a prescription cold sore medication
If you feel a tingling or itching feeling around your lips, it is likely that cold sore may develop very soon. We understand that cold sores are painful, itchy and, unfortunately, noticeable, which often results in feelings of insecurity and embarrassment. As a result, we recommend that you talk to your doctor as soon as you can about your cold sore treatment options.
There are many of Over-The-Counter, or OTC, cold sore medications that can help reduce the effects of cold sores. However, these OTC medications have not been shown to be more effective. That is why Sitavig® (acyclovir), 50mg Muco-Adhesive Buccal Tablet is often recommended, as it was developed to help stop cold sores in their tracks. Sitavig’s One & Done Dosing can ease cold sore symptoms, speed up healing and, in some cases, stop cold sores before they start.
2- Use a cold compress2
Cold sores thrive in warm moist environments. During an outbreak, using a cold compress will work alongside your cold sore medication will create an environment that is uninviting to the herpes simplex virus that causes cold sores.2
Applying a cold compress directly to the area infected by a cold sore can also reduce swelling and redness.2 When using a cold compress, remember to not touch ice directly to the sore, and to continuously move the cold compress around to avoid harming your skin.
3- Take in Vitamin C1
Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system and maintain health. Keeping your immune system healthy is a great way to help prevent cold sores from developing.
There has been no proven research showing that Vitamin C reduces the chances of getting a cold sore. However, Vitamin C has been known to heal skin tissue more quickly, but only Sitavig has been shown to delay recurrence with episodic dosing.
4- Maintain a healthy diet3
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables may also help boost your immune system. The boosting of the immune system can help to fight cold sores and keep them away. During a cold sore outbreak, be sure to stay away from highly acidic foods – they can cause irritation and pain to cold sores.
1- WebMD.com – Cold Sores Topic Overview
2- HuffingtonPost.com – Cold Sore Treatment Tips
3- SFGate.com – Types of Food to Avoid for Cold Sore Outbreaks
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Sitavig should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, milk protein concentrate, or other components of the product.
Sitavig has not been studied in pregnant women or in immunocompromised patients and no interaction studies have been performed. Sitavig’s safety and efficacy have not been established in pediatric patients.
Sitavig is a Pregnancy Category B product; therefore it should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known if Sitavig is excreted in breast milk; however, systemic absorption is minimal.
In a controlled clinical trial Sitavig’s most common side effects (greater than or equal to 1%) were: headache (3%), dizziness (1%), lethargy (1%), gingival pain (1%), aphthous stomatitis (1%), application site pain (1%), application site irritation (1%), erythema (1%) and rash (1%). In the same trial these side effects ranged from 0%-3% for placebo.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.com or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
