What Are Cold Sores?

Usually caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus, these sores typically appear on the lip, although, sometimes they can pop up in the mouth or throat, as well.  The cold sore is painful, fluid-filled and looks like a blister.  After you’ve had your first outbreak, you can usually feel them “coming on”.  A tingling sensation around your mouth usually signals that a cold sore will appear within the next couple of days.

Here are some effective home remedies for cold sores that will not only shorten the healing time, but may be able to keep you from having to deal with future outbreaks entirely.

Cold Sore Remedies

From Your Fridge

Ice

By applying ice directly to the sore, you will relieve some of the painful swelling.  If you catch the sore at the tingling, oncoming stage, there’s a good chance that icing it will keep it from becoming larger.

Yogurt

Why’s it work?  If you eat a brand of yogurt that contains a live bacteria named acidophilus, studies have shown that the bacteria will keep the virus from growing.

From The Drugstore

Aspirin

Aspirin is great for relieving the pain of cold sores, but there’s another, more important benefit to this cold sore remedy:  Studies have shown that an aspirin a day will cut the healing time in half.

Abreva

This over-the-counter cold sore remedy works well because it contains docosanol.  This ingredient works by protecting the healthy cells from being affected by the virus.  It is most effective if taken when you feel a cold sore coming on, but it will also dramatically shorten the healing time, reducing it to a day or 2, making it a very effective cold sores treatment.

Petroleum Jelly

After the sore gets crusty, use petroleum jelly to keep it from cracking and bleeding.  Always remember to use a fresh cotton swab to apply it, though.  Using your fingers could contaminate the jar.

Quercetin

You can find this plant pigment at most drugstores and health food stores.   Divide up 1000 milligrams into 2-3 doses and  let the immune-boosting properties speed up the healing.

Echinacea

This is another great immune-booster.  Take 300 milligrams 4 times a day during a cold sore outbreak and let your immune system fight off the herpes simplex 1.

An Ounce of Prevention…

Lemon Balm

Look for lemon balm ointment at your local health-food store.  This stuff contains essential oils that inhibit the growth of the virus.  Studies have shown that using lemon balm daily will not only cut down on the number of outbreaks that you experience, but it may stop outbreaks completely.

Don’t Pass It On

Cold sores are very contagious.  Don’t kiss your partner while sores are present.  To take it a step farther, don’t reuse washcloths, towels, glasses or toothbrushes while someone in the house is having an outbreak.

Zinc

Take 15 milligrams of zinc every day.  Zinc boosts your immune system and has also been shown to block the replication of the virus.

Your Toothbrush

• First, make sure that you replace your toothbrush after an outbreak!

• Another way to prevent future attacks would be to keep your toothbrush dry in between uses.  A moist toothbrush is a great place for the virus to breed and multiply.

• Don’t store it in a closed container.  Ideally, place it on a shelf that will expose it to both air and sunlight.

When To Call The Doctor

If the sore is followed by a fever, swollen glands or flu-like symptoms, call your doctor.  Also, if you tend to have more than 4 or more outbreaks a year, you may need a prescription antiviral, such as Zovirax.