Home Treatments For Cold Sores

By Lindelwa Maseko

Also known as fever blisters, cold sores form due to a viral infection affecting the skin and the nervous system. This is usually caused by herpes virus which is transmittable by behavior and hibernates in the body till it receives a stimulus to get active. This may sometimes be confused with impetigo, which shows up between the nose and upper lip. Canker sores on the contrary are ulcers which do not spread and grows in the soft tissues of the oral cavity which are free from sore development.

Good hand washing when a cold sore is present will help prevent the spread of the infection. The drug called acyclovir (Zovirax) may help shorten the length of the outbreak. Effective management could involve using topical creams, ointments and at times drugs which belong to the antiviral category like acyclovir or famciclovir. Prompt and effective pain relief is available from paracetamol or applying witch hazel locally on the sore. This skin medication acts also as an anesthetic. Ensure having a balanced diet which is full of vitamins A, C, E, zinc and iron so that your immune system gets more powerful. It is also wise to keep away from foods which are to salty or spicy or which encourage acidity and drinks which can further provoke the sores.

To arrest the development avoid salty and spicy foods. Some of the foods where you need to have only limited quantities include chocolates, peanuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat rich in arginine. Schedule your diet plan in such a way that there is no consumption of tea or coffee and your foods are all rich in vitamins.

Take some ice and rub it on the sore for a few minutes and do this again every hour and this is one of the very effective home remedies for the management of cold sores. You may even use tea bags on the sore area for a few minutes and then doing it over again every hour. You can also consider pressing a warm tea bag on the blisters for approximately 30 minutes.

For effective relief put witch hazel on the sores. If outdoors during daytime, apply sunscreen on lips to take care from cold sores created by the sun and prevent re-appearance.

The following should be mixed 100ml of coconut oil, 2ml of disinfectant, and 3ml of carbolic acid. Some even suggest this for boils and mosquito bites.

Consider having a drink made up of tea tree oil, herbal sage and violet which is supposed to be one of the best home remedies for cold sores. Mix all these with a few sage leaves and ginger powder and put them in a cup of boiling water. Drink this 2-3 times a day and within a couple of days your cold sore will disappear.

If nothing of these works, take 3 acidophilus pills twice a day in the morning and evening and see it getting cleared. For people who very often suffer from sores taking 2 pills a day is recommended. While this list of home remedies for cold sores may not carry all the methods, but they are some of the more commonly used.

About the Author:

You welcome to visit: free day trading classes and day trading strategy for more information.