Symptoms
Symptoms of cold sores
A typical cold sore follows a tingle-blister-crust sequence on the lip. Painful sores inside the mouth of a very unwell child, or any involvement of the eye, is a different level of urgency.
Treatments
Cold Sore Treatment Online
Request cold sore treatment online at the first tingle or outbreak. A clinician can review antivirals, with discreet UK delivery if prescribed.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus, usually around the lips. Tingling often comes before a blister. They are common, contagious when active, and usually clear in 7–10 days.
We will review topical or oral antivirals for eligible adults, especially if sores are frequent or caught very early.
The condition
What are cold sores?
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1, around the lips or nostrils. Many people feel tingling, itching or tightness for a few hours before a blister appears. The blister weeps then crusts and typically heals in 7 to 10 days without scarring.
After the first infection, the virus stays dormant in a nerve and can reactivate with sunlight, stress, illness, or periods. Cold sores are contagious while tingling, blistering or weeping. They are not a sign of poor hygiene.
Private Pharmacy Care may review topical or oral antivirals for eligible adults when this service is open, especially if you catch the tingle early or attacks are frequent. A clinician decides. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription. Sores near the eye, a first severe attack in pregnancy, or sores in someone with weak immunity need prompt NHS advice.
Causes
Causes of cold sores
HSV is usually acquired in childhood from a kiss or shared cups, then reactivates later. You cannot remove the virus from the body with a cream.
Treatments
Available treatment options
This is a guide to licensed UK options. A clinician decides whether a prescription antiviral is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a medicine. Many typical lip sores are managed with pharmacy creams started at the first tingle.
Products
Aciclovir 400mg tablets
Aciclovir 400mg antiviral tablets for cold sores. Take one tablet three times a day for 5 days. Start…
Zovirax Cream Pump
Zovirax cream pump — branded aciclovir antiviral for cold sores. Apply 5 times a day. £6.50. Pharmacist review…
Zovirax Cream Tube
Zovirax cream tube — branded aciclovir antiviral for cold sores. Apply 5 times a day. £6.25. Pharmacist review…
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Antivirals work best at the first tingle. They do not remove the virus from the body, so sores can return.
Early treatment window
Starting at the prodrome may shorten an episode for some people.
Options for frequent recurrences
A clinician can discuss episodic versus other strategies.
Practical infection control
Advice on not kissing, sharing lip products, or touching your eyes during an outbreak.
Private supply
If prescribed, treatment is delivered discreetly.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Typical recurrent lip cold sores in otherwise healthy adults may be suitable. Eye involvement, a first severe attack, or sores in pregnancy need extra care.
May be suitable if
- Recognised cold-sore tingling or blisters on the lip
- You can start treatment promptly
- You will avoid spreading the virus while sores are open
- You can tell us how often attacks happen
May not be suitable if
- Sores in or near the eye, or vision change — urgent care
- Widespread rash, high fever, or you are immunocompromised
- A first attack in pregnancy — seek professional advice the same day
- Allergy to aciclovir or similar antivirals
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if Cold sore treatment is right for you?
Complete a short online consultation. A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers before any treatment is supplied.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Aciclovir-type medicines slow viral replication. Creams are applied thinly several times a day. Tablets are used in selected cases. Sunblock on the lips can reduce sun-triggered recurrences.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Herpes in the eye is an emergency for sight.
Newborns must be protected from active cold sores on carers — seek advice.
- Do not touch sores then your eyes.
- Do not share towels, lipstick, or drinks bottles during an outbreak.
- Wash hands after applying cream.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Topical antivirals can sting briefly. Tablets may cause nausea or headache.
- Stinging on application Usually brief. Stop if the skin becomes much more inflamed.
- Dry or flaky skin A simple lip balm may help once cream has absorbed, if advised.
- Nausea (tablets) Take with water.
- Headache (tablets) Usually mild.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the patient information leaflet. Creams only help if you start early and apply them often enough. The steps below are general.
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Start at the first tingle
Carry cream if you get recurrences so you can begin before the blister peaks.
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Apply a thin layer with clean hands
Use a cotton bud if you prefer not to touch the sore. Do not put lip cream in the eye.
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Take tablets at even intervals if prescribed
Complete the short course. Stay hydrated. They do not erase the virus from the nerve.
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Protect other people until healed
Avoid contact with babies, pregnant people who are not immune, and anyone having chemotherapy until the scab has gone.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Stinging on application is common. Eye pain and a newborn exposure are not problems to watch overnight.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Sores near the eye, a red painful eye, light sensitivity, or blurred vision — seek emergency eye care or A&E.
- A baby or newborn has been kissed by someone with an active cold sore and is unwell, or has spots — seek emergency paediatric advice.
- Widespread painful sores on eczema with fever (possible eczema herpeticum) — go to A&E.
- Severe allergic swelling or breathing difficulty after an antiviral — go to A&E.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- Attacks are monthly, very large, or always missed until the crust stage — a clinician can discuss episodic tablets.
- A first cold sore in pregnancy — contact maternity services or NHS 111 the same day.
- You are immunocompromised and have a cold sore that is spreading.
- You are not sure it is a cold sore (impetigo and angular cheilitis can look similar) — a pharmacist or GP can look at it.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Pharmacy creams are already available in many shops for typical lip sores.
Can I still kiss someone?
Avoid skin contact with the sore until it has fully healed, especially with babies and people with weak immunity.
Will antivirals stop cold sores forever?
No. They may shorten attacks. The virus remains dormant in the body.
Is a cold sore the same as genital herpes?
They are related viruses. Location and advice differ. Be honest on any future consultation.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS: Cold sores Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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