Early Treatment for Cold Sores, early detection of cold sores

"Catching a cold sore at the first tingle" means that you are identifying and treating a cold sore as soon as you feel the initial tingling, burning, or itching sensation on your lip, which is the earliest sign that a cold sore is about to develop, allowing for the best chance to potentially minimize its severity or even prevent it from fully forming.

• Early detection:

The tingling, burning, or itching feeling is considered the prodromal stage of a cold sore, meaning it's the first noticeable symptom before visible blisters appear.

• Treatment options:

It is very important to have anti-viral ointment on hand prior to a cold sore appearance. We recommend Helocaine®, as the most effective treatment for cold sores. When you feel the first tingle, you can start applying antiviral creams or ointments to the area to potentially slow down the development of the cold sore.

• Key accelerators of cold sores:

Stress, illness, hormonal changes, sunshine, cold/windy conditions, weakened immune system, and injury to lips are the major initiators of cold sores. So be prepared.

• Importance of quick action:

Acting at the first tingle is crucial because once the blisters form, they are more difficult to treat effectively.