Cold sores nearly always announce themselves with a tingle before the blister forms. Catching that moment with the right treatment is the difference between 24 hours of discomfort and a full week-long outbreak.

What's in this range

Stocked products include Compeed Cold Sore Discreet Healing Patch (15 count) for invisible coverage during the day, Bonjela 15g Oral Gel for fast pain relief on the sore itself and accompanying mouth ulcers, and the Sterimar nasal spray range for anyone whose cold sore comes as part of a broader cold.

Choosing the right product

Hydrocolloid patches like Compeed work by creating a moist healing environment under a near-invisible cover — they reduce crusting, hide the sore visually, and stop you touching it (which spreads the virus). Apply at the first tingle for best results, before the blister fully forms. Bonjela oral gel relieves the discomfort once the sore breaks. For prevention, antiviral aciclovir creams (sold separately in our Creams & Ointments range) work best applied at the tingling stage.

If outbreaks are frequent (more than 6 a year) or unusually severe, see a GP about prescription antiviral options.