Fast Acting Lip Treatment for Cold Sores Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream is a cold sore treatment that acts fast to tackle cold sores at their source. Formulated with docosanol 10% this fever blister and cold sore medication helps to shorten the duration of tingling pain burning and itching associated with cold sores if used as directed at the first sign of a tingle. Unlike other cold sore remedies that just soothe symptoms Abreva Cold Sore Treatment penetrates deep to create a barrier around healthy skin cells to prevent the spread of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Abreva Cream is the only nonprescription cold sore medicine approved by the FDA to shorten healing time to heal cold sores in as few as 2 1/2 days (1). This Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream pump bottle is easy to apply and take on the go. How to Use Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Simply apply Abreva Cream at the first sign of a tingle bump or itch. Completely cover the cold sore and surrounding area. This healing cream should be applied 5 times a day