7 Popular Home Remedies for Cold Sores
Although they're not a serious condition in the majority of cases, it is undeniable that cold sores are unpleasant to endure.
The soreness caused by the lesions as well as loss of confidence due to their location around the mouth mean that the many people who are infected have a miserable time for the 7 to 10 days that a typical attack lasts for.
While there are some medicines available to help, these have proved to have limited efficacy and so many people resort to alternative treatments.
While some of these are truly bizarre, here we look at some of the most popular home remedies for cold sores.
Although once infected with the cold sore virus we remain infected for life, the good news is that the virus lies dormant for most of the time.
By choosing the right remedies we can limit the effect of the virus upon our lives and since home remedies for cold sores can be equally effective as medicines but without the cost or side effects, they remain an excellent option for many sufferers.
The soreness caused by the lesions as well as loss of confidence due to their location around the mouth mean that the many people who are infected have a miserable time for the 7 to 10 days that a typical attack lasts for.
While there are some medicines available to help, these have proved to have limited efficacy and so many people resort to alternative treatments.
While some of these are truly bizarre, here we look at some of the most popular home remedies for cold sores.
- The application of ice at thetingle stage can help reduce the time taken for cold sores to healdramatically.
Put the ice cubes in a bag and hold it against the lesionfor up to half an hour, which reduces inflammation and seems to slow downthe development of the virus as it replicates.
- Warm teabags held to the lesionhelp soreness and fight the virus.
- Cover the lesion with Vaseline toprotect it and prevent secondary infections.
- Avoid the foods that are acidic orvery salty such as citrus fruit and potato chips as they can bothaggravate cold sores as well as being painful on the lesion and make sureyou eat red meat and dairy products which are high in lysine.
- Because sun can cause cold sores,it is advisable to use a sunscreen, particularly a high protection creamdesigned specifically for the lips.
- Creams containing lysine, or basedon lemon balm or tea tree oil help moisturize the infected area as well asprovide a protective layer and fight the virus.
- Over-the-counter painkillers suchas aspirin and ibuprofen can help relieve pain, as can topicalanesthetics.
Although once infected with the cold sore virus we remain infected for life, the good news is that the virus lies dormant for most of the time.
By choosing the right remedies we can limit the effect of the virus upon our lives and since home remedies for cold sores can be equally effective as medicines but without the cost or side effects, they remain an excellent option for many sufferers.
Source...