Abreva cold sore cream has been clinically proven to reduce healing time, as well as symptoms such as pain and burning, itching or tingling. It has also been shown to help prevent cold sores from progressing to blister stage when applied at the first sign of an outbreak.

Best results are seen when Abreva® Cream is used early in a cold sore episode. Once your cold sore has reached the stage of forming an ulcer or even a crust, then it may not be as effective in shortening healing time.

ACT EARLY AND APPLY ABREVA® OFTEN At the first sign of cold sore (when you feel the “tingle”), apply nonprescription Abreva® Cream. When done so, it is clinically proven to heal a cold sore in 2½ days*. *Median healing time 4.1 days. 25% of users healed in 2.5 days.

Abreva cream is safe to apply on both normal skin and cold sores.

Abreva 10% Docosanol Cream Treatment for Cold Sore/Fever Blister, 0.07 Ounce. Infused with 10% Docosanol, this FDA-approved, non-prescription medicine works to treat cold sores, which is why we chose it as our top pick.

A tingling, itching, or burning sensation that acts as a warning to apply Abreva® Cream. A group of small, fluid-filled, painful blisters appears, usually on or around your lips or mouth. The surrounding area may be red and swollen.

This cold sore early stage begins about 12 to 24 hours before the sore develops. The area becomes red, swollen and painful as the blisters form. Over the next two to three days, the blisters rupture and ooze a clear or slightly yellow fluid. This is sometimes called the “weeping phase.”

During the scabbing stage, your cold sore blister scabs over for two to three days. Typically, cold sore scabs look yellow and crusty. The first scab may break open, but it should re-heal into a smaller scab. Within a few days of a normal cold sore cycle, your cold sore scab should flake off naturally.

Abreva works quickly by penetrating deep into the skin to the source of the spreading virus.

During the scabbing stage, your cold sore blister scabs over for two to three days. Typically, cold sore scabs look yellow and crusty. The first scab may break open, but it should re-heal into a smaller scab. Within a few days of a normal cold sore cycle, your cold sore scab should flake off naturally.

An outbreak of cold sores usually starts with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth. Small fluid-filled sores then develop, usually on the edges of your lower lip. If you have frequent recurrent infections, you may develop cold sores in the same place every time.

Can you put too much Abreva on a cold sore? Abreva is a topical ointment, so only the amount that touches the lesion will be effective. Applying more than necessary shouldn't cause problems, but it won't help, either.