Cold Sores
Fever blisters are another name for cold sores. They usually appear around the chin, nose, and lips. It is a very common condition but also you should know that it is a contagious condition. The herpes simplex virus type 1 is the most common cause of cold sores. When the blisters are oozing fluid, then you should know that this virus is highly contagious. But this kind of virus is not always a cause for cold sores. There are some cases when this virus stays dormant permanently in our bodies. Exposure to strong sunlight, trauma to the skin, hormonal changes, fatigue, and emotional stress are factors that can reactivate this virus, and also they can contribute to outbreaks. This kind of virus spreads through saliva or through direct contact with the infected person even that person does not have blisters. There are many people around the world who have this disease and it is believed that 90% of the adult population all around the world has this disease. When the colds sores outbreaks, then they are characterized by painful and small blisters around the edge of our mouth or around our lips. Also, you can notice cold sores around your nose. You can feel a burning or tingling sensation around your lips and nose one or two days before the cold sores erupt. They crust over, ooze fluid, or burst. In most cases, they go on their own for a period of one week. Also, there are some simple Natural Remedies for Cold Sores which can help you to ease the discomfort and to reduce the duration of an outbreak.
Natural Remedies for Cold Sores
Ice
When you have a cold sore, then you can feel pain, redness, and swelling which can be reduced if you use ice. In a clean washcloth, you should wrap an ice cube. Then, you should place the washcloth on the places where you have cold sores in a period of ten to fifteen minutes. You should repeat this Natural Treatment for Cold Sores every 3 to 4 hours.
Supplement with Vitamin C
You can boost the count of your white blood cells if you eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C [1]. This Cold Sores Home Remedy can boost your immune system, heal cold sores and promote skin health. You can consume this vitamin in capsule form or you can eat foods that are rich in Vitamin C such as kiwi, grapefruit, broccoli, strawberries, kale, green peppers, Brussels sprouts, red peppers, and oranges. The defend line against the invaders can be stronger if you consume Vitamin C Herbal Supplements for Cold Sores and foods.
Garlic
This cold sores home remedy has antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties which can help you to treat the cold sores [2]. Also, this vegetable has anti-inflammatory properties which can help you to reduce inflammation and swelling. You will need to cut one garlic clove into two halves. Then, you should crush ½ clove of the garlic, and then you should put it on the affected areas. You should let these cold sores home remedy stay on the affected areas in a period of ten to fifteen minutes. You should repeat this Herbal Treatment for Cold Sores 3 – 5 times per day. When you apply this garlic claw on your cold sores, then you can feel a burning sensation.
Natural Remedies for Cold Sores
Acetone nail polish remover
When people have cold sores in many cases they have tried this remedy and they find it is very effective. This cold sores homemade remedy can help you to dry out the cold sores. You will need to dip a cotton ball in nail polish remover and then you should dab this cotton ball on your cold sores. You should do this one of the best Home Remedies for Cold Sores several times per day. It is preferred to do it once an hour.
Hydrogen peroxide
It can dry up the cold sores and also it can disinfect those areas [3]. You will need to have 3% hydrogen peroxide and then you should dip a cotton ball in this cold sores homemade remedy. You should apply this cold sores home remedy on the places where you have cold sores. You should let this remedy to stay on your cold sores in a period of few minutes. You should do this treatment every few hours.
Licorice root
It can treat cold sores and also it can prevent you from them. Glycyrrhizin is an active ingredient found in the licorice root which has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties [4]. You should mix ½ teaspoon of water with one tablespoon of licorice root powder. You should apply this mixture to your cold sores with your fingertip or using a cotton swab. If you have decided to apply it with your fingertips, then you should be sure that your hands are clean. You should let it stay there for a period of few hours. You should repeat this cold sores home remedy several times per day. Also, you can use licorice root in form of supplements or as tea. If you have a cold sore very often, then you should eat licorice root regularly because this can help you to minimize the number of outbreaks. People who suffer from high blood pressure should not use licorice root because it can lower the levels of potassium and it can increase your blood pressure.
Lysine
This cold sores home remedy has antiviral properties which can prevent cold sores. This is a reason why you should consume lysine on a regular basis. This is an essential amino acid that can block the activity of arginine (this kind of amino acid is promoting the replication of HSV) which is another type of amino acid [5]. If you want to keep the herpes virus dormant, then you should take 1.000 to 1.500 mg of L – Lysine supplements per day. When you have cold sores outbreak, then you should take 1.000 mg of this amino acid 3 times per day. Also, you can use creams of Lysine but oral supplements are considered to be a more effective remedy for cold sores. Also, you should eat foods that are rich in proteins such as soybeans, cheese, milk, yogurt, and meat because they also have lysine as their component.
Lemon balm
The Melissa officinalis is another name for lemon balm. It can prevent the infection from spreading, soothes the discomfort, and speeds up the healing process [6]. It has polyphenolic compounds and tannins which can help in the Cold Sores Natural Treatment because they have antiviral effects. In one liter of hot water, you should steep one to two teaspoons of dried lemon balm leaves. You should steep this cold sores home remedy for ten minutes. Then, you should strain one of the Herbal Remedies for Cold Sores. You should drink 3 – 4 cups of this tea per day. Also, you can apply lemon balm essential oil or lemon balm tea on your cold sores. You should do this 3 – 5 times per day.
Cold milk
This cold sores home remedy has immunoglobulins which are inhibiting the virus which is a reason for the cold sores. Also, it has monocaprin which is a type of fat that has antiviral effects. Also, the cold milk will soothe the discomfort and the tingling sensation. In cold, whole milk you should soak a cotton ball. You should apply the cotton ball to the affected areas and then you should let it stay there in a period of ten minutes. You should repeat this treatment one or two times per day. Also if you have cold sores you can drink milk not just apply it because this product has lysine.
Echinacea
Echinacea is also one of the very effective Natural Remedies for Cold Sores because it has antiviral effects and it bolsters our immune system. Also, there was a study in which was shown that the Echinacea extract is active against HSV – 1 (herpes simplex virus – 1). You should dab liquid extract of this herb on the places where you have cold sores [7]. Also, you can drink tea from this herb. Echinacea can be also found in capsule or tincture form but you need to talk with your doctor before you start using it as your cold sores home remedy. You should not use this herb as long – term treatment for cold sores. It is recommended not to take the Echinacea as your natural treatment for more than 8 weeks. Also, this herb can interact with other kinds of medications and this is a reason why you should not take this cold sores home remedy without talking with your doctor.
Tea tree oil
Tea Tree Oil is one of the very useful Herbal Products for Cold Sores that can help you to shorten the healing time of the cold sores and also it can help treat this disease because it has antiviral properties [8]. In one part of tea tree oil, you should add three parts of water and you should dilute this kind of oil. You should dip a cotton ball in this remedy and you should apply this remedy to the affected areas 3 times per day. Also, you can make another mixture from equal amounts of olive oil and tea tree oil, and a small amount of eucalyptus oil. Then, you should apply this natural remedy to your cold sores 2 – 3 times per day. If you suffer from cold sores and you have noticed that it is not improved in a period of two weeks, then you should talk with your doctor. He or she will tell you how to rid of the cold sores through cold sores home remedy.
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