Cold sore remedies: ointments, sprays and tablets

Cold sore remedies, such as triamcinolone acetonide, hydrocortisone acetate or hexamide isethionate with tetracaine hydrochloride, can be used in the form of an ointment, spray or oral solution and help to reduce pain, facilitate the healing process or eliminate the bacteria that grow in the wound.

Cold sores can appear due to minor local trauma, such as using braces or brushing, allergies to some food or medication, gastroesophageal reflux, stress, deficiency of vitamin C, folic acid, iron and zinc, or certain infectious or systemic diseases. Check out other causes of cold sore.

It is generally not necessary to treat a cold sore, as it disappears within a week or two. However, if the cold sore is very large or very painful, it is important to consult a doctor or dentist, who can recommend the best treatment, including the use of medication.

Ointments, sprays and oral solutions for cold sore

Ointments, sprays or oral solutions are applied directly to the cold sore and act to protect the affected region, reducing inflammation and providing temporary pain relief.

Some ointments that may be recommended by a doctor or dentist for the treatment of canker sores are:

1. Triancinolone acetonide

Triamcinolone acetonide ointment is an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid indicated for canker sores or wounds in the mouth, as it helps to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of pain, swelling, redness and discomfort, making it a good remedy option for canker sores in the mouth, in addition of the lips, tongue, gums and cheeks.

This medicine can be found in pharmacies or drugstores under the trade names Omcilon A orabase, Mud oral, Oncileg-A or Coliaft ointment, or in generic form such as triamcinolone acetonide orabase, and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or dentist. See how to use triamcinolone acetonide ointment for canker sores.

2. Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a remedy in the form of a gel with a moisturizing, protective and healing action on the oral mucosa, which allows immediate relief from pain and discomfort caused by canker sores or ulcers in the mouth.

This remedy can be found in association with aloe vera, for example, a substance that helps regenerate cells in the oral mucosa, accelerating healing. It is sold in pharmacies or drugstores under the trade name Kin care mouth gel.

3. Polycresulene

Polycresulene is another remedy that can be used to treat canker sores, due to its healing and regenerating properties.

This remedy can be found under the trade name Albocresil in the form of a gel or solution for direct application to the cold sore and should not be ingested. See how to use and what are the contraindications of this medicine.

4. Thyrothricin

Thyrothricin is a remedy for cold sore that can be found in combination with other substances, such as lidocaine hydrochloride or hydroxyquinoline sulfate, which have antiseptic, antibacterial and analgesic action, helping to reduce, eliminate or inactivate bacteria that are present in the area. , in addition to leading to immediate relief from the pain caused by the cold sore.

This remedy can be found under the trade name Malvatricin, in the form of a gel, spray or solution for use on cold sores or mouthwashes, and must be used with a doctor’s or dentist’s advice, and is only sold with a prescription.

5. Hydrocortisone acetate

Hydrocortisone acetate is a corticosteroid with powerful anti-inflammatory action indicated for the treatment of canker sores. This medication can be found in the form of an ointment and usually contains other associated substances, such as neomycin sulfate, troxerutin, ascorbic acid or benzocaine, which help to relieve pain, improve healing and eliminate bacteria from the affected region.

This medicine is found under the name Gingilone in pharmacies and can be used by adults or children over 2 years old, with medical or dentist advice. As it contains neomycin in its composition, a type of antibiotic, this ointment is only sold with a prescription.

6. Benzydamide

Benzydamide, or benzydamide hydrochloride, is a medicine with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anesthetic action, which helps to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain and discomfort caused by canker sores.

This remedy can be found in the pharmacy under the commercial name Flogoral, in the form of a spray or mouthwash solution (rinse), for use directly on the cold sore or for mouthwash, and should not be ingested.

7. Sodium bismuth tartrate

Bismuth sodium tartrate is another cold sore remedy that is often found in combination with other substances, such as neomycin sulfate or procaine hydrochloride. They act by reducing the pain and discomfort caused by canker sores, in addition to eliminating bacteria that may be at the site of the canker sore.

This medicine is found in pharmacies or drugstores under the trade names Bismu jet oral suspension or Aftine drops, for use directly on the cold sore and are sold only with a prescription and should be used under the guidance of a doctor or dentist. Find out how to use Aftine drops.

8. Hexamidine isethionate with tetracaine hydrochloride

The combination of hexamide isethionate with tetracaine hydrochloride results in an antiseptic and analgesic medication indicated for the rapid relief of pain caused by canker sores, in addition to keeping the affected area clean, promoting healing.

This remedy can be found under the trade name Hexomedine, in the form of a spray, and should be used with medical or dentist guidance, for a maximum period of 5 days.

Cold sore pills

Pills for the treatment of cold sore are recommended by the doctor in the most serious cases, such as a weakened immune system due to illness or cancer treatment, for example.

The main pills that may be recommended by your doctor include:

• Corticosteroidsto reduce inflammation of mucous membranes and treat systemic diseases;
• Antibioticsto prevent or treat infections in the cold sore region;
• Remedies to reduce stomach acidityespecially in cases of gastroesophageal reflux, which can cause thrush.

These cold sore pills should always be used with medical advice, according to the disease being treated.

Home remedy options

There are also some home remedies that can be used to help treat canker sores, such as licorice drops or sage tea, which relieve pain and inflammation, and speed up wound recovery. Find out how to prepare home remedies for cold sores.

Additionally, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can also help reduce the inflammation and irritation caused by canker sores.

Watch the following video with other home remedy tips for canker sores: