[derekswife]

My boyfriend has a cold sore he's had it for a few days now and he is in pain and its starting to become white. What can we do to reduce the cold sore and stop the pain?

[teacherjenn4]

If it is truly a cold sore, he can try the over the counter remedies, such as Abreva and Campho-phenique. He can also see a doctor for a correct diagnosis and possibly prescription medication to shorten the duration of the cold sore.

[dontknownuthin]

Sometimes what people call a cold sore is actually a canker sore. A cold sore is the result of a form of herpes virus (not necessarily the sexually transmitted form). A canker sore can be a sore in the mouth resulting from an abrasion or irritation of the soft tissue in the mouth. I find that swishing warm salt water in the mouth periodically helps with a canker sore in the mouth but the remedies already offered - abreva and so on or a prescription - will help with a true cold sore (normally on or next to the lips).

[samcreed]

A very, very good salve for cold sores is Carmex; available at Dollar stores, or any food store. If that doesn't work, putting some on every 2 hours or so, and curing it in about 2 days, I would see a doctor. I had to have a prescription to stop some that kept coming back; kind of like a virus. Good luck, and hope you have a great new year.