Cold Sores

ACT EARLY, RECOVER SOONER

That familiar tingle means a cold sore is on its way, and acting quickly makes a real difference. Explore pharmacy treatments, or complete a confidential form for prescription options reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber, dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy and delivered discreetly to your door.

Start your free online form Takes a few minutes and is reviewed by a UK prescriber. Treatment is supplied only if approved.
  • Fill out a short form
  • Choose your treatment
  • Delivered if approved
  • GPhC-registered pharmacy
  • Confidential plain packaging

The condition

Understanding cold sores

Cold sores are small blisters around the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus, which most adults in the UK carry, often picked up harmlessly in childhood. The virus stays dormant in the body and reactivates from time to time, triggered by things like sunlight, stress, illness, tiredness or cold weather. Most outbreaks heal within seven to ten days.

Many people feel a tingle, itch or burn a day or so before the blister appears, and that early window is when treatment works best. Cold sores are common, nothing to be embarrassed about, and very manageable once you know your pattern and act on the first sign.

Know the signs

Symptoms and when to seek help

A cold sore usually follows the same stages each time. Knowing them helps you act at the right moment.

  • Tingling, itching or burning around the lip, up to a day before anything shows
  • Small fluid-filled blisters, usually on or around the lips
  • Blisters bursting and crusting over within a few days
  • Healing over one to two weeks, usually without scarring

When to see a doctor

Most cold sores can be managed at home or with pharmacy advice, but seek medical help if any of the following apply.

  • A cold sore near your eye, or a painful, red or watering eye, which needs same-day attention
  • A sore that has not healed after two weeks
  • A severe outbreak with fever, swollen gums or mouth ulcers
  • Very frequent outbreaks, around six or more a year
  • A weakened immune system, from illness or medicines

One warning everyone should know. Never kiss a baby while you have a cold sore, and do not let anyone with one kiss your newborn, because the virus can be dangerous for young babies. If a newborn seems unwell after contact, seek urgent medical help. For urgent advice that is not an emergency, call NHS 111.

Our clinic model

How it works at Medicosmetic

Fill out a short medical form

Answer a confidential set of health questions online. It takes a few minutes and can be done in private, at any time. We carry out identity checks to keep the service safe.

Choose your preferred treatment

Pharmacy creams and patches can be ordered directly, subject to pharmacist approval. For prescription antiviral options, a UK-registered prescriber reviews your form and approves treatment only if it is clinically appropriate. They may suggest an alternative or decline supply.

Delivered discreetly if approved

Once approved, your treatment is checked and dispensed by our pharmacist at Erdington Community Pharmacy, then posted in plain, unbranded packaging with tracking.

Cold sores move quickly, so if an outbreak has already started, a pharmacy cream today beats a delivery tomorrow, and our team at Erdington Community Pharmacy can help in person. We encourage you to let your GP know about any treatment you receive, and you are not charged for medicine that is not supplied.

Start your form

Evidence-based options

Treatment approaches

The golden rule is speed. Antiviral creams containing aciclovir work best started at the first tingle, before the blister forms, and can shorten healing. Cold sore patches protect the sore, reduce the temptation to touch it, and conceal it while it heals. For people with frequent or severe outbreaks, prescription antiviral tablets are an option, taken as a short course at the first sign, or in some cases daily to suppress outbreaks, if a prescriber agrees it is appropriate.

Prevention matters too. A lip balm with sunscreen helps if sunlight is your trigger, and managing stress and sleep reduces outbreaks for many people. While a sore is active, avoid kissing and sharing cutlery, cups or towels, wash your hands after touching it, and keep your hands away from your eyes.

Compare your options

Treatment options and pricing

The main differences between cold sore treatments are how they are used and whether they need a prescription. Pharmacy options can be bought directly, subject to pharmacist approval, while prescription options require a form reviewed by a UK-registered prescriber, who approves supply only if clinically appropriate.

Cold sore cream (aciclovir)

From £X including delivery

  • How it's takenApplied five times a day at the first tingle
  • Starts workingWorks best started early, before the blister forms
  • LastsUse until healed, up to 10 days

No prescription needed, subject to pharmacist approval. Can shorten healing when started at the tingle stage.

Check my suitability

Cold sore patches

From £X including delivery

  • How it's takenPlaced over the sore and changed as directed
  • Starts workingProtects and conceals immediately
  • LastsWorn through the healing stages

No prescription needed. Shields the sore, reduces touching, and hides it discreetly under make-up if you wish.

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Prescription antiviral tablets

From £XX including consultation and delivery

  • How it's takenA short course at the first sign, or daily if suppression is agreed
  • Starts workingMost effective started within 24 hours of symptoms
  • LastsCourses are short, suppression is reviewed periodically

Prescription only, for frequent or severe outbreaks. Approved only where a prescriber agrees it is appropriate.

Check my suitability

Prices shown include the consultation, prescription, dispensing and delivery. Treatment is supplied only if approved by a UK-registered prescriber following your online form. Supply is never guaranteed, and you are not charged for medicine that is not supplied. Information above is factual and does not replace clinical advice.

Trusted care

Why Medicosmetic

GPhC-registered pharmacy

Medicosmetic is a trading name of Erdington Community Pharmacy (Premises No. 1107990). Verify on the GPhC register.

Named Superintendent Pharmacist

Mohammad Luqman Ghani (GPhC 2220694) oversees our pharmacy services.

UK-registered prescribers

Every form is reviewed by a clinician registered to prescribe in the UK.

Genuine UK-sourced medicines

Dispensed by our own pharmacy, never third-party marketplaces.

Discreet by design

Plain packaging, tracked delivery, and confidential handling of your information.

Straightforward next steps

If treatment is not suitable, we explain why and signpost you to the right care, usually your GP.

Common questions

Cold sore FAQs

What causes cold sores?
The herpes simplex virus, which most adults in the UK carry, usually picked up harmlessly in childhood through everyday contact like a family kiss. The virus stays dormant and reactivates now and then, commonly triggered by sunlight, stress, illness, tiredness, cold weather or hormonal changes. The sore is the reactivation, not a new infection.
Are cold sores contagious?
Yes, especially from the tingle stage until fully healed, and most of all when blisters are present. Avoid kissing and oral contact, do not share cups, cutlery, towels or lip products, wash your hands after touching the sore, and keep hands away from your eyes. Above all, never kiss a baby while you have a cold sore, because the virus can be dangerous for newborns.
How do I get rid of a cold sore fast?
Honestly, nothing erases one overnight, but acting at the first tingle makes the biggest difference. Antiviral cream started before the blister forms can shorten healing, patches protect and conceal the sore, and simple pain relief helps with discomfort. For frequent or severe outbreaks, prescription tablets started within the first day are an option if a prescriber agrees.
Can I get antiviral tablets for cold sores online?
Yes, through a registered online pharmacy service with prescriber review. You complete a confidential form, a UK-registered prescriber reviews it, and tablets are supplied only if clinically appropriate, typically for people with frequent or severe outbreaks. Always check a pharmacy's GPhC registration before using any online service.
Why do I keep getting cold sores?
The virus reactivates when your defences dip, so run-down periods, stress, illness, strong sunlight and cold weather are common culprits. Spotting your personal pattern helps you act early or avoid triggers. If you get around six or more outbreaks a year, ask about suppression treatment, because taking that pattern to a clinician is worthwhile.
Are cold sores an STI?
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex, most often the type picked up innocently in childhood, so having one says nothing about anyone's sexual history. The virus can be passed to the genital area through oral contact while a sore is active, which is one more reason to avoid intimate contact until it heals. There is no shame in either direction, it is simply a very common virus.
When should I see a doctor about a cold sore?
Seek same-day help if a sore is near your eye or your eye becomes painful, red or watery, because the virus can harm the eye. See your GP if a sore has not healed after two weeks, outbreaks are frequent or severe, you have a weakened immune system, or a first outbreak comes with fever and mouth ulcers.

Ready to start? It begins with a short form

Fill out a confidential medical form, choose your preferred treatment and, if approved by our prescriber, have it dispensed by our pharmacist and delivered discreetly to your door.

Start your free online form