Cold Sores

Aciclovir antiviral cream

Aciclovir cream is used to treat cold sores on the lips, face and on the outside of the genitals.

Aciclovir cream reduces the severity and duration of cold sores.

Aciclovir cream

Aciclovir cream is most effective if treatment started as soon as a sore starts. Cream is applied in a thin layer direct to the surface of the sore at the earliest sign of any symptoms. Cream is applied five times daily, 4 hourly during the day. Wash hands after applying cream to prevent spread of the virus.

Treatment will not work if it is started beyond five days from the start of a sore.

Sores starting around the nose that are yellow sticky and crusty, and spread out over a period of a few days are likely to be impetigo, not cold sores. Impetigo is a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics, not antiviral cream

Cautions

• Aciclovir cream is not for use in the mouth or inside the vagina.
• If sores have not healed after ten days medical advice is needed.
• Sores that are spreading into new areas and are very sticky or thickly crusted may be due to bacterial infection (impetigo) and require antibiotic treatment.
• Cold sores occurring with increasing frequency may be a sign of reduced immunity for which medical advice should be sought.
• Manufacturers of aciclovir advise against its use for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Alternative treatment

Cold sores usually run their course and heal up in 7-10 days.

The first time a person gets the cold sore virus they may be quite unwell with severe pain, fever and swollen glands. A GP may prescribe antiviral tablets for a first infection or very severe recurrent cold sores.