Don't let a cold sore leave a blemish on your big celebration

• Fever blisters are triggered through the herpes virus
• An episode could be triggered by stress and fatigue

By Rachel Reilly

Released: 22:01 GMT, 22 December 2012

It's the ultimate festive season horror – the sudden appearance of the cold sore.

Triggered through the herpes virus in most cases occurring round the mouth, this painful blister typically clears up with no treatment in 7 to 10 days.

After someone has contracted herpes – through close contact – it remains mostly dormant, but it may be triggered by triggers, leading to an episode of fever blisters.

A celebration nightmare: Fever blisters would be the ultimate festive season horror

Included in this are fatigue and stress, and that's why many suffer throughout the party season.

Within the final a part of our Holiday party MOS series, we request professionals how you can treat the dreaded pre-party cold sore.

72 Hours Towards The PARTY

If you feel you're vulnerable to creating a cold sore, try an cream that contains an antiviral for example acyclovir.

‘I use Zovirax [?5.59, 2g, boots.com] throughout the party season,’ states Jo Martin, clinical director from the Mapperley Park Clinic in Nottingham.

‘Rubbing some in 2 to 3 occasions daily up to and including week before a celebration guarantees I don’t acquire one. More...

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The very first manifestation of a chilly sore is really a tingling or bruised sensation round the mouth. You should act immediately to prevent it becoming unsightly.

‘If you've fever blisters regularly, obtain a prescription for acyclovir pills out of your GP,’ states Dr Mayaud. ‘Privately, it’ll cost around ?6.50 for any course. Never make use of this like a preventative measure as you'll be able to create a resistance.’

2 Days To Visit

Keep using the pills if you’ve began, or begin right now. Infrared-light box therapy continues to be scientifically shown to eliminate a chilly sore within 72 hours, too.

‘Using the Virulite infrared device [?39.95, vcs.eu.com] for 3 minutes, three occasions each day for 2 to 3 days continues to be proven to eliminate a chilly sore, even if your full blister is promoting,’ states Dr Dougal Gordon, a GP and electronic engineer who invented the Virulite device, on NHS prescription.

Once you’ve because of the area a great time using the Virulite, apply Zovirax cream, that you can use as much as five occasions on that day. Professor Tony Nash, a specialist in infectious illnesses in the College of Edinburgh, states: ‘Be rigorous and rub it in, even when it’s uncomfortable, to make sure it permeates deep in to the blister.’

Act fast: The very first manifestation of a chilly sore is really a tingling or bruised sensation round the mouth

For individuals who know Zovirax isn’t effective on their behalf, a traditional cream that contains new antiviral docosanol can be obtained (Blistex Cold Sore Cream, ?6.29, pharmacy2u.co.united kingdom).

You will find natural remedies, too. ‘A study has recommended mixing pure peppermint oil and manuka honey works better than acyclovir,’ states natural health expert Philip Days.

‘I suggest creating a little pot of cream having a ratio of 1 tablespoon of manuka honey to 3 drops of oil. Mix well and dab it on four occasions daily before the day's the party. Make sure the sore is included prior to going to rest.’

Laser skin treatment is definitely an option at this time. ‘Pulsed-dye lasers happen to be proven to work,’ states Jo Martin. ‘They work similarly to infrared devices by stimulating the body’s immune response – with the exception that the dose is a lot more intense so only one session is required.’ Periods begin with ?30 and last 5 minutes (mapperleypark.co.united kingdom).

Eventually To Visit

In case your cold sore isn’t abating, or appears to become getting worse, don't hesitate to make use of the Virulite device greater than suggested – the only real negative is needing to hold it for your mouth.

‘It won’t inflict harm and I've had plenty of anecdotal feedback that raging it for 3 to 5 minutes every hour has noticeable effects,’ states Dr Gordon.

Philip Days suggests dealing with fever blisters from inside too. ‘Guzzle lots of lemon balm tea,’ he states. ‘It’s scrumptious and antiviral.’

At The Time

When the cold sore still hasn’t disappeared, all hope isn't lost – there's make-up.

‘A good liquid foundation for example Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation [?13.15, 30ml, escentual.com] will seep in to the bumpy scab and canopy it,’ states skin doctor Dr Mike Bunting.

‘Applying Zovirax or something like that similar could keep it moisturised and stop it cracking. Since the hard crust is going to be fragile, develop thin layers of colour having a cotton wool ball.’

And when you need to do accomplish the scab? ‘You will most likely have a wet surface which make-up won’t hang on to,’ states Dr Bunting. ‘Compeed Cold Sore Blister Patches are transparent, adhesive and promote healing. Make-up holds onto the invisible film.

‘If you’re a guy and don’t wish to be seen having a sore, subtly cover with make-up.

‘If you’re still really worrying concerning the blemish, draw attention away from from this by highlighting your vision with make-up.

‘Obviously, this won’t be possible if you’re a guy – so possibly a jazzy tie can help!’