In this article, I’m going to teach you how to use Zovirax Cream for cold sores. Ninety percent of all people get at least one cold sore in their life. This first occurrence is often the worst (mine sure was!).
After the first infection, many people develop antibodies and never have another cold sore. However, about 40% of American adults have recurring cold sores.
This was me for almost 20 years.
I had so many outbreaks that I suffered from serious psychological issues induced by cold sores.
To make a long story short…
I figured out how to prevent cold sore outbreaks, and I haven’t had a cold sore for over four years now. However, millions of people are still suffering, and that’s why I created this blog.
I’ve made it my Life’s Purpose and Mission to help others learn how to prevent and treat cold sores.
So now a lot of my time is spent researching and writing about all of the best cold sore remedies in the world. After writing some informative and helpful articles on natural remedies and over-the-counter remedies, now the time has come for me to do the third article in the category of prescription medications for cold sores.
Many people are using Zovirax Cream for cold sores, and in this article, I’m going to cover the Pros and Cons and give you a detailed Review of the use of Zovirax Cream for cold sores.
Zovirax Cream For Cold Sores – Cold Sore Overview
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of small blisters that form on or near the lips. Cold sores are a result of something called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
There are two types of HSV, and both can cause cold sores. HSV-1 typically is responsible for cold sores, and HSV-2 is most often the cause of genital herpes.
However, both types of HSV can cause cold sores or genital herpes.
After primary infection, the virus resides in the associated dorsal root ganglion where it lies dormant until an external stimuli (such as stress or immunosuppression) initiate reactivation of the virus from dormancy.
The virus lives on forever, and that’s why people continue to get cold sores over and over again.
Zovirax Cream For Cold Sores – Zovirax Cream Overview
Zovirax Cream is a prescription cream that contains 5% acyclovir. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that is most commonly used to treat infections by the herpes viruses that cause cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles.The discovery of aciclovir was announced in 1977.
Aciclovir is used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus infections, including:
- Genital herpes simplex (treatment and prevention)
- Neonatal herpes simplex
- Herpes simplex labialis (cold sores)
- Shingles
- Acute chickenpox in immunocompromised patients
- Herpes simplex encephalitis
- Acute mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients
- Herpes of the eye and herpes simplex blepharitis (a chronic (long-term) form of herpes eye infection)
- Prevention of herpes viruses in immunocompromised people (such as people undergoing cancer chemotherapy)
Zovirax Cream can be used to shorten the healing time of a cold sore. I remember the first time I used Zovirax Cream on my new cold sore. Instead of the cold sore taking a week to turn into a scab, it only took two days. I was very impressed.
Using Zovirax Cream for cold sores can lead to the following benefits:
- Decreases the severity and length of a cold sore outbreak
- Helps the cold sore heal faster
- Keeps new cold sores from forming
- Decreases the pain and itching of a cold sore
Zovirax Cream For Cold Sores – Research Studies
In a study from 2008, acyclovir cream 5% (generic Zovirax Cream) was shown to help in the treatment of cold sores, though an over-the-counter Compeed Cold Sore Patch had comparable results.
Zorivax Cream was evaluated in 2 double-blind studies, and shown in both of them to be effective in the treatment of cold sores.
How To Use Zovirax Cream For Cold Sores
If you’re wanting a prescription strength cold sore cream that heals a lesion fast, Zovirax Cream can help, and it’s been shown to be effective in numerous studies.
The following dosing guidelines for using Zovirax Cream for cold sores were taken from MedicinePlus.gov:
- Wash your hands.
- Clean and dry the area of skin where you will be applying the cream.
- Apply a layer of cream to cover the skin where the cold sore has formed or seems likely to form.
- Rub the cream into the skin until it disappears.
- Leave the skin where you applied the medication uncovered. Do not apply a bandage or dressing unless your doctor tells you that you should.
- Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any cream left on your hands.
- Be careful not to wash the cream off of your skin. Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying acyclovir cream.
- Avoid irritation of the cold sore area while using acyclovir cream.
You must always use Zovirax Cream under the care of your prescribing doctor. These are just guidelines, so please ask your doctor how to use Zovirax Cream for cold sores.
Zovirax Cream For Cold Sores – Conclusion
Many people have prevented or reduced the healing time of their herpes simplex lesions by using Zovirax Cream for cold sores. It has shown favorable results in research studies, however, some people don’t get amazing results, and some people have side effects from using Zovirax Cream.
The key to cold sores is to prevent them from forming in the first place.
Thus, I encourage you to check out my Ultimate Guide to Preventing Cold Sores.
It’s free and has absolutely everything you need to know.
If you have any comments or questions on the use of Zovirax Cream for cold sores, please post them in the comment box below.
Donna Davis says
Why does this cream have to have a prescription?
Matt says
I think it’s considered too powerful to be an over-the-counter medicine.
Matt says
It’s considered too powerful to be an over-the-counter medicine.
Neil says
Hi I hadn’t had a cold sour in over a year until a couple of months ago, hand I have 3 since I’m my lips and many in my nose, I use Zovirax eveytime I get one. Can I offer any alternative advice because it doesn’t seem to stop me getting them. Thankyou
Matt says
Hi Neil,
I can absolutely offer more solutions for you. I’m going to provide links to a couple of articles that will really benefit you:
Cold Sore Remedies THAT WORK>>
Ultimate Guide To Preventing Cold Sores>>