What to do if i have a cold sore, i've tried ice, chapstick, and toothpaste with salt! what else can work?

Virus, 3-5 days: Cold sore is caused by virus, which would take 3 to 5 days to resolve. Make sure to keep it clean to prevent bacterial superinfection. Salt, orajel, topical Benzocaine can help the discomfort. Laser biostimulation in the area would help speed up healing. See your dentist for laser treatment.

OTC ointment: For cold sores, you need to check with GI to see if any underlying stomach problems mean time stay away from nuts, chocolate, citrus. Warm water and salt works best otc ointement such as xylocaine (lidocaine) will five you temporary relief.

Should heal in 1-2 w: Next time take 2 grams valacyclovir at first tingling before the sore begins. This will make it less painful & heal faster. You need to get the prescription now so as to be prepared for immediate use. Topicals such as zovirax ointment are a waste of money. You can use an anesthetic such as Lidocaine to relieve pain, but don't expect much. It will soon heal anyway.

Heals after 14 days: Cold sores on the lips usually go away after 14 days duration. When the cold sore initially starts, you can use a steroid cream like acyclovir or brevia. You can get a prescription from your dentist.

Oral herpes HSV-1: or cold sores are a cluster of blisters on the lips, tongue, floor, or roof of the mouth accompanied by oral pain and irritation, sore throat, swollen gums and lips, headache, mild fever and enlarged glands. These symptoms may go away on their own without treatment in 1 to 2 weeks.