Home Remedies for Cold Sores
Cold sores – most of us have them at some point in our lives. They are as embarrassing as they are painful. Cold sores can appear on the skin around the mouth or as blisters on lips. They look really ugly, especially when they ooze or break open and usually last for a week. By using the right home remedies for cold sores, you can get rid of them faster.
Cold sores are caused by the virus HSV-1 (or herpes simplex virus). In fact, 90 percent of adults across the world have this virus, but in most cases it stays dormant, and breaks out very rarely. When a person contracts the virus for the first time, it may take just a few days to break out, and when it does, it is likely to cause fever, aches and pains, headaches and sore throat – which is followed by the appearance of cold sores. Let’s discuss some of the home remedies that help remove the cold sores as soon as possible.
Milk
Milk is rich in proteins such as immunoglobulins that are basically anti-bodies that fight viruses such as HSV-1 that cause cold sores. Milk also contains l-lysine, which acts against an amino acid called arginine that causes cold sores to appear. So to help heal the cold sores, drink a plenty of milk and use a whole milk compress on the affected area to soothe the pain. Just soak a cotton ball in 1 tablespoon of mile and apply it on the cold sore for a few minutes. Wash it off later with a clean towel soaked in water.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the oldest home remedies for cold sores. It speeds up the healing, disinfects the affected area and makes sure that the cold sores don’t get any worse. To use this home remedy, just soak a cotton ball in 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and place it directly on the sore. Hydrogen peroxide is known to sting – so be prepared for that. Hold for a few seconds and dab it around. Allow it to remain for 5 minutes, and then take it off and rinse the affected area as thoroughly as possible.
Vitamins E and C
Vitamins are one of the best home remedies for cold sores. White blood cells defend the body against the virus that causes cold sores. Vitamin C boosts white blood cell count and is available in foods such as red berries, kiwi, tomatoes, broccoli, and spinach as well as red and green bell peppers. Vitamin E helps to relieve the pain and discomfort from cold sores and is available in the form of oral supplements or oil. Some of the foods that are rich in vitamin E are nuts, leafy green vegetables, avocados and whole grain.
Apply Sunscreen
Any exposure to UV light makes the cold sores worse. So when you go out in the sun, make sure to apply sunscreen on your face. Also apply lip balm with an SPF value of at least 15. This is one of the simplest ways to ensure that the cold sores don’t spread too fast and do more damage to the skin.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is a natural compound used by several cultures around the world to heal skin problems for over 2000 years. Apply aloe vera gel to the cold sores at least twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Aloe vera gel offers quick relief from the discomfort caused by the cold sores and combats the bacteria which cause so much irritation to the sores. Aloe vera gel is easy to apply and doesn’t cost much. It is a cure for most skin problems, and not just for cold sores.
Apply Ice
Another simple home remedy is to take a chilly ice cube and hold it on the sore for as long as possible. The ice helps to numb the pain and keeps the bacteria out. It heals the blisters and reduces the skin-splitting sensation that you will get when your blisters get too dry. Dab the cold sores with petroleum jelly after using the ice cubes on them.
So, these are some of the simplest home remedies for cold sores that you can use. Read more on what causes cold sores….