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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can A Cold Sore On The Lip Be Treated?

Hello I ve had a cold sore on my lip for about 5 days now and in the past it usually around this time it starts to scab and heal. But this time I woke up to dried out and purple on the outside and on the inside purple with a red center on the middle. Is it just part of the healing? Is it bruised? Or worst case of all? Is it infected?
posted on Wed, 26 Apr 2017
Twitter Wed, 26 Sep 2018 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 27 Sep 2018 Last reviewed on
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi,

Well, If it is drying out then it is the part of healing and not an infection. But as it is not completely healed yet you can apply Valtrex ointment over it to make it heal faster.

As it is a viral infection avoid touching it, again and again, to avoid spreading the infection. You can also wait and watch for another 2-3 days and see how it progresses.

But it is better to start applying Valtrex ointment so that it can heal faster and in progressive outbreaks also if you apply the ointment earlier the outbreak can be less aggressive.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Honey Arora,
Dentist
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How Can A Cold Sore On The Lip Be Treated?

Hi, Well, If it is drying out then it is the part of healing and not an infection. But as it is not completely healed yet you can apply Valtrex ointment over it to make it heal faster. As it is a viral infection avoid touching it, again and again, to avoid spreading the infection. You can also wait and watch for another 2-3 days and see how it progresses. But it is better to start applying Valtrex ointment so that it can heal faster and in progressive outbreaks also if you apply the ointment earlier the outbreak can be less aggressive. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Honey Arora, Dentist