Cold Sores Home Remedies | Natural Remedies for Cold Sores
Cold sores are small but painful blisters on the lips. They may occasionally appear on the nose as well. These are generally filled with fluid and are also called fever blisters.
Before we discuss various Cold Sore Treatments and Home Remedies, it is important to understand what causes it and what its symptoms are.
Cold sores blisters usually break open, weep fluid and disappear over a period of time. They are accompanied with fever. They are very painful. Eating drinking and even sleeping becomes difficult. Other symptoms include sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.
Causes of Cold Sores
Cold sores are caused by viruses Herpes Simplex Virus 1(HSV 1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2) and are contagious. In almost 95% cases Cold sores are caused by HSV1. It can be passed on by close contact like hugging and kissing with the infected person. It may spread among children by playing with the infected child. It may be that a person has recovered from it and the symptoms are not visible but still his saliva may contain virus. HSV 2 virus affects the genitals and therefore can be transmitted through sex.
Petroleum jelly is one of the good home remedies for cold sores. It is available at all drug stores. Usually it is available in most households as it has multiple uses.. Cover the cold sores with application of petroleum jelly. A thin layer of petroleum jelly over the cold sores will reduce pain. It will speed up the healing and help protect it from further infection with bacteria.
Use Ice as Home Remedy for Cold Sores. Ice provides soothing effect. Rubbing ice on the affected area helps reduce the size of the blister. It reduces pain and stops spreading of the blisters. Gently press Ice cubes on the affected parts until you can. This should give enough relief.
Another home treatment for cold sores is use of tea bags. Take a lukewarm tea bag and gently press it on the affected area. Keep doing this about15 minutes. This will reduce pain, contain the size of blisters and stop them from spreading. Do this application 3-4 times during the day and last time before going to the bed.
Stop drinking coffee if you suspect cold sores. Caffeine acts as catalyst to spread cold sores. So completely avoid coffee or other caffeine containing drinks will help prevent cold sores.
Aloe Vera gel is yet another effective natural remedy to get rid of cold sores. Gently apply fresh Aloe Vera gel on affected area 3 times a day. Fresh Aloe Vera gel is more powerful and potent as compared to the Aloe Vera creams available in the drug stores. This will not only provide relief but also hasten the healing process.
Include vitamin c containing fruits like all citrus fruits and vitamin c supplements as diet for cold sores. Vitamin C speeds up the healing of cold sores.
Olive leaf can be used as effective natural cold sores cures. Extract juice from olive leaf and apply it on the affected area. Olive leaf extract is a very effective natural antibiotic for cold sores and other viral skin infections.
Common salt is one the readily available home treatments for cold sores. Apply common salt on the affected area and press it by a cloth for 10 minutes. Don't wrap it, just press it. Don't use your fingers for pressing because the infection can spread through touching cold sores. Applying salt may hurt initially but is very useful is fast healing.
Garlic is also one of the readily available natural remedies for cold sores. Garlic has a compound called Kyolic which is antiviral. Cut a garlic clove in half and apply it on the cold sore. It may initially give a burning sensation and later you may smell of garlic but the application is worth it as it speeds up the healing process.
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