“My cold sore doesn’t stand a chance when I use Abreva®.”

You know that using Abreva properly is your best defense—so you can get back to living your life cold sore free. But make sure you use it properly for the best results.

 

Don’t Skimp. Don’t Skip

Abreva is recommended for adults and children 12 years and over, and should be used exactly as directed: five times a day until your cold sore is healed, for a maximum of 10 days.

Keep it Clean

Remove any cosmetics prior to applying Abreva. Apply Abreva directly to your cold sore at the first sign of a tingle, redness, bump or itch for best results. If you wish, you can apply cosmetics such as lipstick over Abreva. And always wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after treating your cold sore.

Apply Good Sense

To avoid spreading the infection, always use a separate applicator, like a cotton swab, to apply cosmetics to an unhealed cold sore.

And while you’re treating your cold sore, remember:

 

Don’t Bug Your Cold Sore

Never, never, never pick, scratch or squeeze your cold sore. This may cause scarring or a longer lasting cold sore.

Keep Your Hands Clean

Always wash your hands after touching or putting ointment on a cold sore. Thoroughly washing your hands during an outbreak can keep you from spreading the cold sore virus to other parts of your body and to other people.

Carefully Consider Treatment Options

If left untreated, cold sores generally take 8 to 10 days (sometimes longer) to heal. Know what treatment options are available so you choose the one that’s right for you. With the right treatment, you may be able to speed up healing faster than the 8 to 10 days the body normally takes to fight the virus. Abreva® is the only FDA approved over-the-counter treatment proven to significantly shorten healing time.

Reduce the Risk to Others

Take precautions during a cold Sore Stages to protect the people you care about. Make sure you know the do’s and don’ts of reducing the risks to others so you can properly protect the people around you from getting your cold sore virus.

Talk to Your Pharmacist

Talk to your pharmacist to get the best treatment advice. It’s also important to talk to your pharmacist or healthcare professional if a cold sore lasts more than 10 days, or if you’re not sure the sore you see and feel is actually a cold sore.