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Many folks eat high lysine foods prior to or during a cold sore event, and avoid high arginine foods. For many folks, healing cold sores fast has been as simple as taking 1,000 milligrams to 3,000 milligrams of lysine in capsule supplements during an outbreak. High lysine foods to eat are most meats and dairy products.
There are several medications to reduce the duration or symptoms of cold sores. Some are available without a prescription (over the counter), and others require a prescription from a doctor. Some are topical (meaning that they are creams or ointments rubbed directly on the sore), and others are taken in pill form.