Can you pop a cold sore

Alternatives to popping a cold sore include cold compresses, cold sore ointment and cold sore medication, or seeing your dentist for a cold sore laser treatment. Pressing a cold, damp cloth to the sore can help reduce discomfort and speed healing. In fact, pressing an ice cube to the spot where you feel the initial tingling sensation may prevent a cold sore from appearing, according to the Summit Medical Group.

Over-the-counter ointments for treating cold sores, when applied according to the directions, can shorten an outbreak. Ask your doctor about antiviral cold sore medications, which are only available by prescription.

The Mayo Clinic mentions several cold sore remedies, including lysine, which can be applied as a cream or taken orally, and synthetic beeswax called propolis, which may speed healing if applied often from the beginning of an outbreak. The Mayo Clinic also says that rhubarb and sage cream could be as effective as acyclovir, an antiviral treatment.

The herpes virus is extremely prevalent and according to the World Health Organization, more than 67 percent of all people under 50 have this virus. This might in part be due to the fact that this virus is very contagious, as we will later learn in this article. Popping a fever blister could be extremely tempting. But you should absolutely reconsider.

A cold sore is not a pimple. Breaking open a cold sore will not speed the healing process, it can actually make the breakout last longer and make the situation far worse. Cold sores are highly contagious.

When you pop a cold sore, the virus filled fluid is released onto your mouth and hands. Particles of the virus can remain on your hands after popping. By doing this you could create even more cold sores. Causing a heck of a problem. When popping a cold sore, there is not only an increased possibility of spreading to other parts of your own body, but also spreading to other people.

By popping your cold sore and introducing the contagious fluid to other parts of your body, you could unknowingly spread this to your genitals causing a new type of problem. However, it is possible to cause a genital herpes outbreak by exposing the HSV1 virus to the genitals.

When a cold sore is left alone to heal in its own time, there is usually no scar left behind. When you break the skin of a cold sore from popping or picking, there is an increased possibility you will be left with a scar from the breakout. What is worse than a cold sore? An infected one. A popped cold sore is an open wound. This leaves the door wide open to other viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This infection also could leave behind scarring.

Popped or not, cold sores are contagious until the sores have completely scabbed over. While dealing with an active breakout there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid spreading it to others and to other parts of your body.

Also read: Are cold sores contagious? In this article, we look at what happens when someone pops a cold sore , what to do instead, and how long cold sores usually take to heal. Cold sores are small, fluid filled blisters that usually form around the mouth. People also refer to them as fever blisters or oral herpes.

Cold sores occur following infection with the herpes simplex virus HSV. Once a person has the virus, it stays in their body. People can, therefore, get recurring cold sores throughout their life.

HSV is very contagious and spreads through oral contact, including kissing, sharing food and drinks, and oral sex. Popping a cold sore releases fluid that contains the herpes virus.

If the fluid transfers to other parts of the face, it may cause more cold sores to appear. Touching a cold sore also increases the risk of transmitting the virus to other people. People with broken skin, severe burns, or skin-related conditions, such as eczema , may be at risk for developing a larger skin infections as a result of HSV.

Although this is rare, popping a cold sore may allow it to happen by spreading the infected fluid. Popping cold sores may also irritate the skin, worsening the pain and swelling that these blisters can cause. Sometimes, a popped cold sore may leave a scar. Cold sores naturally burst and then scab over during the healing process, and they usually heal on their own. It is not necessary to pop them. Instead, people with cold sores can try over-the-counter OTC topical treatments containing aciclovir Zovirax or penciclovir Denavir , which may speed up healing.

OTC treatments will be more effective the sooner a person starts using them. People with cold sores should start using topical products within 24 hours of the first symptoms. Signs indicating that a cold sore will develop include:. It is best to apply any topical treatments by dabbing them gently on the affected area with a clean cotton swab. This technique helps prevent the spread of infection. If a person touches a cold sore, they should wash their hands with soap and water afterward. Other ways to ease the symptoms include taking OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , and applying cloth-wrapped ice or cold compresses to reduce inflammation.

A person may also find it helpful to avoid acidic, salty, or spicy foods, as these may cause stinging or irritation.