🔥 Cold Sores · $59 Flat · No Video · Same Day

Feel the tingle? Treat it before it blisters.

Q: Can I get cold sore treatment online?

Yes. Text (480) 639-4722 and describe what you're feeling. A double board-certified Nurse Practitioner will review your symptoms and, when appropriate, send a prescription antiviral to your pharmacy. Most patients hear back the same day, usually within a few hours.

Q: How fast should I start cold sore treatment?

As early as possible. Antiviral treatment works best when it's started at the very first sign — the tingle, itch, or burn before a blister forms, ideally within 48 hours. Starting early can shorten the outbreak and sometimes stop a blister from fully forming.

Q: Do I need to send a photo of my cold sore?

Usually not. Cold sores have a classic pattern Chris can recognize from your description. If a photo would help him be sure, he'll ask — but many visits are handled from your text alone.

Q: How much does it cost?

$59 flat. No hidden fees, no surprise bills, no paperwork. Most generic antiviral medications typically run $4–$20 at the pharmacy with GoodRx.

Q: Can you help if I get cold sores often?

Yes. If you get frequent outbreaks, there's a daily suppressive option that can reduce how often they happen. Text Chris about your pattern and he'll talk through whether episodic or suppressive treatment fits you better.

Q: Is a cold sore the same as herpes?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1. It's extremely common — most adults carry it, typically from childhood contact like a relative's kiss. It is not a reflection of anything you did wrong, and it's very treatable.

Q: When should I be seen in person instead?

Get in-person care if a sore is near or in your eye, if you have a weakened immune system, if it's an infant or newborn, if you have eczema and the rash is spreading, or if a sore hasn't healed in two weeks. Chris will tell you straight up if your situation needs hands-on care.

Text a double board-certified Nurse Practitioner. Catch a cold sore at the first sign and we send a prescription antiviral to your pharmacy. Most patients hear back the same day — no video, no waiting room.

Get Cold Sore Treatment — Text (480) 639-4722 See how it works

🏥 Licensed NP in 11 states ⭐ 50+ five-star reviews ⚡ Works best within 48h of the first tingle 💊 Most Rx $4–$20 with GoodRx

Chris @ NPCWoods

● Available now

Today 2:14 PM

I feel a cold sore coming on — that tingle on my lip 😣

Caught it early — that's the best time. Any blister formed yet, or just the tingle?

Just the tingle so far

Perfect timing. Sending a prescription antiviral to your pharmacy now 💊

✓ Prescription sent to your pharmacy

2:19 PM

50+ Five-Star Reviews

Real patients. Real reviews. From Facebook & Google.

"Chris texted me back within seconds and had my prescription over to the pharmacy within minutes..so simple and easy definitely beats sitting in a waiting room. Recommend 100%!"

J.R.Facebook

"Very fast and convenient. I first messaged Chris at 10:08am and I was picking up my prescriptions from the pharmacy at 10:52am same day! Cannot recommend enough!!!!"

A.H.Facebook

"Fast, easy, no waiting, very professional. I recommend him to everyone."

D.C.D.Facebook

"Messaged Chris he responded in a timely manner. Very professional. Easy to talk to about our concerns. It was nice to be able to stay at home and get quality care."

T.P.Facebook

"I had a great experience with NPCWoods Telemed Clinic! Chris was incredibly efficient and genuinely helpful. He made the whole process quick and stress-free."

H.P.W.Facebook

"Literally cannot recommend enough! My daughter had the worst cough ever and it was so bad on a Saturday night after midnight, I text Chris, he replied immediately."

A.A.Facebook

"Chris texted me back within seconds and had my prescription over to the pharmacy within minutes..so simple and easy definitely beats sitting in a waiting room. Recommend 100%!"

J.R.Facebook

"Very fast and convenient. I first messaged Chris at 10:08am and I was picking up my prescriptions from the pharmacy at 10:52am same day! Cannot recommend enough!!!!"

A.H.Facebook

"Fast, easy, no waiting, very professional. I recommend him to everyone."

D.C.D.Facebook

"Messaged Chris he responded in a timely manner. Very professional. Easy to talk to about our concerns. It was nice to be able to stay at home."

T.P.Facebook

How it works

Three texts. That's it.

Faster than a trip to the pharmacy counter. No app, no portal, no video call — just text, the moment you feel it coming on.

Text Us

Text (480) 639-4722 and say something like "I feel a cold sore starting." No app, no portal, no account. That's literally all you need to start.

Chris Reviews

Chris Woods, your double board-certified Nurse Practitioner, reads your message personally. He'll ask a couple quick questions — when it started, where it is, how often you get them.

Prescription Sent

When it's appropriate, a prescription antiviral is sent to your pharmacy — CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, wherever's closest. You walk in, you walk out.

Care follows established guidelines for oral antiviral therapy. Treatment is selected based on your symptoms, history, and how early you catch it.

Clinical overview

What a cold sore is, in plain language

A cold sore — also called a fever blister — is a small cluster of blisters on or around the lip, caused by the herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1 (oral herpes, ICD-10 B00.1). It's extremely common: most adults carry the virus, typically from childhood contact. Once you have it, the virus stays quiet in the body and flares up now and then — often triggered by stress, sun exposure, illness, fever, or being run down. It is not a reflection of anything you did wrong, and it's very treatable.

What it usually feels like

⚡

The tingle (prodrome)Tingling, itching, or burning on the lip a day or so before anything shows

💧

BlistersSmall fluid-filled blisters, usually clustered on or near the lip

🩹

Weeping & crustingBlisters burst, weep, then crust over as they heal

😣

SorenessTenderness, tightness, or mild pain around the spot

🤒

First-time outbreakA first episode can come with swollen glands or feeling run down

🔁

Recurring spotMany people get them in the same place each time

Why timing matters

Catch it at the tingle

A cold sore moves through predictable stages. Antiviral treatment works best when it's started at the very first sign — the tingle, before a blister forms. Start early and you can shorten the outbreak, and sometimes stop a blister from fully forming at all.

⚡

1 · Tingle Itch, tingle, or burn. No blister yet. Best time to text

💧

2 · Blister Small fluid-filled blisters appear.

💢

3 · Weep Blisters burst and weep. Most contagious.

🩹

4 · Crust A scab forms over the spot.

✨

5 · Heal Skin heals, usually without a scar.

Even if you're already past the tingle, it's still worth texting — treatment can help at later stages too, and we can talk about preventing the next one.

Is it actually a cold sore?

Cold sore vs. canker sore vs. cracked corners

Mouth and lip problems get mixed up all the time. Here's how to tell them apart.

What it is	Hallmark signs	What it needs
Cold sore (oral herpes)	Starts with a tingle, then fluid-filled blisters on the outside of the lip; tends to recur in the same spot	✓ We treat this by text
Canker sore	A flat white/yellow ulcer inside the mouth; not contagious; no blisters	Usually self-care — text us if it's severe
Angular cheilitis	Cracked, sore corners of the mouth; no blisters on the lip itself	Sometimes — text us to find out
Spreading or infected rash	Honey-colored crust, fast spread, fever, or a sore near the eye	Needs in-person eval

Not sure which one fits? Text us — Chris will ask the right questions to point you to the right care.

How we treat it

Two ways to get ahead of it

Cold sores are treated with prescription antiviral medication. Which approach fits depends on how often you get them — text Chris and he'll walk you through it.

For an active flare

Episodic treatment

Start at the first tingle

A short course of prescription antiviral, taken as soon as you feel an outbreak starting. The earlier it begins, the more it can shorten the episode.

If you get them often

Suppressive treatment

Daily prevention

If outbreaks are frequent, a daily preventive option can reduce how often they happen — useful before a big event, a vacation, or a sunny trip.

Comfort & healing

Soothe the spot

Alongside treatment

Keep the area clean, avoid picking, use lip balm with SPF, and a cool compress can ease soreness while the antiviral does its work.

Protect other people

Avoid spreading it

While it's active

Cold sores spread by direct contact — skip kissing and sharing cups, utensils, or lip products until the spot has fully healed, and wash your hands.

Most generics typically run $4–$20 with GoodRx. We send each prescription electronically; you choose which pharmacy.

Safety first

When to be seen in person

I'm a nurse practitioner, not a salesman. The following situations mean you need more than a text visit.

⚠ Get hands-on care if any of these apply:

A sore is near or in your eye, or your eye is painful, red, or light-sensitive — this can threaten vision and needs urgent care
An infant or newborn has a cold sore
You have a weakened immune system (chemo, transplant, HIV, certain medications)
You have eczema and the rash is spreading across the skin
A sore hasn't healed within two weeks, or keeps getting bigger
Spreading redness, swelling, pus, or fever — signs of a bacterial infection

For the classic stuff — a tingle and a blister on the lip — that's bread-and-butter telehealth.

Is this right for you?

Who this is for (and who it isn't)

Text-based cold sore care works for most everyday outbreaks. It isn't right for everyone. Here's the honest line.

Good fit ✓

Adult with a classic cold sore on or around the lip
You feel the tingle starting and want to act fast
You get them now and then and recognize the pattern
You want a daily option to prevent frequent outbreaks
Located in one of our 11 licensed states

Needs in-person care ✗

A sore near or in the eye
Infants and newborns
Weakened immune system
Eczema with a spreading rash
A sore that won't heal in two weeks

Not sure where you fall? Text us anyway — we'll point you to the right care, no charge for the honesty.

FAQ

Cold sores — common questions

Can I get cold sore treatment online?

Yes. Text (480) 639-4722 and describe what you're feeling. A double board-certified Nurse Practitioner will review your symptoms and, when appropriate, send a prescription antiviral to your pharmacy. Most patients hear back the same day, usually within a few hours.

How fast should I start cold sore treatment?

As early as possible. Antiviral treatment works best when it's started at the very first sign — the tingle, itch, or burn before a blister forms, ideally within 48 hours. Starting early can shorten the outbreak and sometimes stop a blister from fully forming.

Do I need to send a photo of my cold sore?

Usually not. Cold sores have a classic pattern Chris can recognize from your description. If a photo would help him be sure, he'll ask — but many visits are handled from your text alone.

How much does it cost?

$59 flat. No hidden fees, no surprise bills, no paperwork. Most generic antiviral medications typically run $4–$20 at the pharmacy with GoodRx.

Can you help if I get cold sores often?

Yes. If you get frequent outbreaks, there's a daily suppressive option that can reduce how often they happen. Text Chris about your pattern and he'll talk through whether episodic or suppressive treatment fits you better.

Is a cold sore the same as herpes?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, usually HSV-1. It's extremely common — most adults carry it, typically from childhood contact like a relative's kiss. It is not a reflection of anything you did wrong, and it's very treatable.

When should I be seen in person instead?

Get in-person care if a sore is near or in your eye, if you have a weakened immune system, if it's an infant or newborn, if you have eczema and the rash is spreading, or if a sore hasn't healed in two weeks. Chris will tell you straight up if your situation needs hands-on care.