In most cases, cold sores will heal on their own without any treatment. However, there are ways to help manage symptoms, decrease the length of time with an outbreak, and prevent future outbreaks.
Although treatment can help relieve or reduce outbreaks of cold sores, the virus cannot permanently be cured. The herpes simplex virus will persist in the nerve tissue once it is in your body.
Cold sore treatment includes:
There are no surgical options for the treatment of cold sores.
