Let’s face facts; having a cold sore close to the mouth can be painful and unsightly. They can quickly become weepy and make us feel self-conscious. The good news is that Denavir can help reduce the healing time of outbreaks if you follow the company’s guidelines.
Denavir, also known as penciclovir, is an anti-viral medication used for treating fever blisters. This medication should only be used on the lips, face, chin, nose, and cheeks.
It’s a steroid-free cream that provides instant relief, minimizing the discomfort that may arise when dryness and cracking occurs. You’ll need to be an adult, or be at least 12 years old to use this type of treatment. And it’s only available when you get a prescription from your doctor.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at how Denavir works. We’ll discuss it’s effectiveness, possible side effects, and who shouldn’t use Denavir cream for cold sores. If it isn’t a good option, perhaps because you’re allergic to the ingredients, we’ll provide a couple of FDA-approved alternatives that will heal cold sores in just a few days.
How Does Denavir Cream Work?
Denavir (1%) penciclovir cream targets the herpes virus before it starts to become visible on the face. It’s an HSV DNA polymerase inhibitor. The aim of the medication is to stop the cold sore before it breaks out, but it can’t remove the virus from your body. Unfortunately, there isn’t currently a cure available for cold sores.
As soon as you feel a cold sore coming on, start applying Denavir cream without delay. Trying to stop the blister from appearing is easier when you’re able to recognize the different cold sore triggers. The medication must be used regularly to prevent cold sores from breaking out.
Denavir will not prevent you from contracting the Herpes Virus, but it can reduce the number of outbreaks and reduce the amount of time that it takes to recover.
- Apply Denavir every 2 hours for 4 days. No testing has been done beyond this timeline, so it’s not recommended. If the doctor suggests a different routine, perhaps because your cold sores have lasted for 14+ days, follow his/her specific directions.
Things to Avoid with Denavir
It should never be applied near the nasal cavity and membranes. It should only be used on the lips and external face as other health side effects may occur. Denavir should never be used for cold sores that are near the eyes. There are alternative treatments for ocular cold sores.
Denavir hasn’t been tested on pregnant women, and it’s unclear whether the formula affects excreted milk. This is an important consideration if you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed a newborn baby.
Do not use this medication for a longer period than prescribed by your doctor.
Are There Any Known Side Effects?
There is always the possibility that you may have an allergic reaction to any medication. Before applying Denavir, discuss any existing allergies with a medical professional. If you notice any of the following side effects, you should consult with your doctor:
- Redness and burning
- Severe stinging
- Swelling of the tongue, throat or facial area
- Dizziness or trouble breathing
- Headaches (most common side effect)
- Lower sensitivity to touch
- Changes to your sense of taste
How Do I Know When I Am Getting A Cold Sore?
Cold sore outbreaks will have symptoms 6 to 48 hours before the blister appears. An itching or burning sensation may occur around the mouth or face. You may also have a low-grade fever with a headache during the prodromal stage.
Other Symptoms May Include:
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Drooling can occur in small children
- Sore mouth when eating or drinking
Health Reasons That Cause Cold Sores
One of the main reasons for a cold sore outbreak is stress. Stress causes major health issues to the human body with long term side effects. Learning how to manage stress can help you reduce constant cold sore flare-ups.
Some women may have an outbreak during menstruation because of the hormonal changes during this time. Other reasons for cold sore outbreaks range from dental surgery to exposure to really cold weather conditions.
Keep Cold Sore Outbreaks to a Minimum
- Rest more and get enough sleep to heal your body
- Regularly exercise five times a week for 30 – 45 minutes
- Eat better foods that can help to build up your immune system
- Use lip balm or sunscreen to protect your mouth from sun damage
- Learn how to meditate or use visualization techniques to reduce stress
- Drink 5 to 8 glasses of water daily which helps your kidneys flush toxins
Personal Hygiene & Contagion Prevention
Cold sores are highly contagious so contact with other people should be kept to a minimum. If you have young children, wash your hands thoroughly before touching them. Keep your fingers and hands away from the area of infection.
- Use minimum amounts of make-up on blisters to help achieve quicker healing.
- Before going out in the sun, cover any areas around the mouth with lip balm or zinc cream.
- For cold sores on the face, use a sunscreen to protect from harmful UV rays.
- Wear a hat outside to protect your face from excess sun exposure.
How to Stop the Virus from Spreading
Do not share towels or utensils with anyone while the virus is active. Do not kiss anyone share items (cosmetics or cooking utensils, for example) with anyone else. There is no cure for the herpes virus, but Denavir can prevent the blisters from appearing.
If you are currently on medication, take your prescriptions with you to the doctor. She/he will tell you whether or not your current medications may interfere with Denavir. If you have a reaction to other medications, you may not be able to use this medication. If this applies to you, take a look at some of the top over-the-counter cold sore medications available without a prescription.
If you’re looking for the best alternative to Denavir Cream, we’d suggest HERP-B-GONE Cream or the Virulite Cold Sore Machine. Both of these treatment types are approved by the FDA, so they’re proven to help you to heal faster.