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Does Abreva actually work on cold sores?

Trying to understand if Abreva is worth it. It contains docosanol and is FDA approved to shorten healing time if you start early, but it is a treatment once a cold sore appears, not prevention. Has Abreva actually worked for you, and how early did you start it?

Community support, not medical advice. For a clinical read, use the Clinic.
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1 WarmFox72 · 8d ago

Docosanol shortens it slightly but does not stop the outbreak from happening.

1 WarmFalcon28 · 8d ago

For me prevention beat any treatment, including Abreva.

2 BraveSummit14 · 8d ago

Abreva helped a little but only when I started at the very first tingle.