What is the best way to get rid of cold sores?

Getting rid of cold sores involves taking antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir, according to Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, cold sores usually get better on their own after two to four weeks without treatment.

Antiviral creams help to relieve the symptoms and speed up the healing time, but there are also pills. Pills work better than creams, notes Mayo Clinic. Cold sore patches that contain hydrocolloid gel help treat skin wounds. Using the medication as soon as the first symptoms appear helps achieve better results, states NHS Choices. Cold sores are blisters that develop around the mouth and are caused by a virus called herpes simplex.