Cold Sores | Home Remedies

Thursday, December 04, 2008

In my previous article Cold Sores | Diagnosis and Symptoms, I discussed what a cold sore actually is, how do you get cold sores, cold sore symptoms, and how to prevent passing the cold sore virus to other people. Now that you know what a cold sore is, below is a list of cold sore home remedies that will help relieve the painful symptoms associated with a cold sore outbreak.


Some home remedies to relieve the symptoms of cold sores are:

Tea bag
Apply a warm tea bag to the cold sore for 30 minutes. Tea contains tannic acid, which is believed to have antiviral properties. A tea bag is best used at the first sign of an outbreak.

Ice
Ice can be very beneficial to help relieving the pain by cooling down or numbing the area where the blister has formed. Cooling down the area also inhibits virus activity. After the cold sore blister has broken, apply heat to the area. The heat will cause blood to flow to the area and help the blister heal.

Natural Honey
Honey is beneficial to treating cold sores because no germ can grow in it. Natural honey is rich with antibacterial properties which will help to keep the cold sore virus under control during an outbreak. Natural honey will not spoil, so it can be kept for long periods of time in the cupboard and not lose its beneficial properties.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree oil is made from the bark of a tree found in Australia. This oil is beneficial to cold sore treatment because it contains antiseptic properties. When applied to a cold sore blister, the oil will keep the area sterile, preventing the virus from spreading. It will also help to keep the area moist to prevent painful drying and cracking.

Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly, or any other moisturizer, will help the infected area by keeping it moist. If the lips or blisters themselves become dry, they can crack and become very painful.

Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera gel is safe, gentle, and can be used in areas where other ointments may not be used. (Inside the mouth or nostrils for example) Aloe Vera is a plant that has natural healing properties for skin diseases. It can be used from the time the blister first appears to after the blister has healed to help relieve the symptoms as well as help the skin heal after the blister goes away.

Vitamins C and E
Take Vitamin C from the moment you first feel the cold sore coming on will help your body fight the infection. Apply Vitamin E directly on the cold sore blister to help relieve the pain.

Diet
By maintaining a healthy, well balanced diet, you can decrease the number of cold sore outbreaks and the severity of them. Avoid processed foods, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Eat foods that are high in lysine levels such as chicken, fish, and vegetables.

Because the herpes 1 virus is highly contagious it is important to remember to wash your hands thoroughly after each time you touch the cold sore or apply medicine to the cold sore. Do not kiss, have close contact with, or engage in oral sex while you are experiencing an outbreak or with anyone who has a cold sore. Avoid contact with infants, babies, children, the elderly, and those with weaker immune systems because they are most susceptible to the virus and can experience more severe outbreaks once infected.