Cold sores can be quite annoying. Here are some methods to help you deal with them.
Cold sores are basically tiny pocket like things that are filled with pus which appears on the mouth or sometimes on the lips. If the pus filled skin container is burst open, they will ooze with the fluid that was stored in it and then it will ultimately be crusted over. This crust will usually last for a period of around 10 days. The 10 days in question can be very taxing on the individual who is experiencing these conditions.
A vast majority of adults, around 90% are susceptible to this virus that is the root cause of these cold sores. While the majority of people affected will not show any symptoms, the rest may have to deal with breakouts on a regular basis. These sores are usually a symptom of herpes. Upon getting infected with the virus, people who are susceptible to the virus will show pronounced symptoms within the first few days. The first breakout is usually the hardest to deal with and it may bring about other undesired effects such as headaches, pains, fever and/or a sore throat. Below we have listed a few remedies that will help a ton in dealing with these cold sores.
Home Remedies
All of the remedies listed here ought to be discussed at length with the patient’s doctor. You should also be very careful whenever you are applying any new material on your face. It is not uncommon to have an undesired reaction happening on your face. You may or may not be allergic to the substances mentioned. It may also be a good idea to discuss the home remedy plan with your dermatologist before proceeding to applying them. A good idea may be to apply a small amount of the home made remedy on your inner forearm to see if you are allergic to the substance.
One of the most common home treatments is the application of Apple Cider Vinegar. This substance is known to have antibacterial properties and as cold sores are a result of bacteria, this has the potential to cure your cold sores. Make sure you dilute the apple cider vinegar before applying as full strength cider can seriously irritate the skin.
Another very common remedy is tea tree oil. It has a very pleasant smell and it may be the perfect remedy for your cold sores. Multiple studies have shown that tea tree oil is effective in treating the herpes virus. Just like apple cider vinegar, you also want to dilute tea tree oil before applying.
Honey is another readily available substance in the house that can be used to treat cold sores. Some studies have shown honey, especially of the Kanuka variety, to be remarkably effective in treating cold sores. Similar to honey, we also have propolis (another product to be extracted from bees) that holds promise in the treatment of wounds and other skin ailments. The antiviral properties of this can be very effective in treating all kinds of skin ailments.
Lemon balm is another readily available kitchen product that you may want to consider for your cold sore problems. Lemon balm is an herb that falls under the mint family umbrella. This is also available in capsule form and has a host of other health benefits in it.
Lysine is yet one more home remedy that you should seriously consider for your cold sore problems. A lot of studies point to the conclusion that lysines are very effective in stopping the recurrences of cold sores once applied. The only issue with these studies is that even though they show Lysine as being an effective treatment method for the issue, the studies did not indicate exactly the dosage you should apply. The main ingredient that makes it useful in treating skin conditions is the amino acid in the substance. This is available in oral supplement and cream forms as well. An important point to note here is that these supplements are not too well regulated by the FDA. So it will be prudent to research upon the product that you are thinking of getting and making sure that it has good reviews. We have to stress the importance of talking to your physician before going on a supplement routine.
Peppermint oil is yet one more home made remedy that you can use to cure yourself of the cold sores. A lot of tests in labs do suggest that this kind of oil is very effective in fighting HSV-1 and HSV-2. Once again, it is important to dilute the peppermint oil before applying it on your skin
Some essential oils have also been thought of as being beneficial to those suffering from an outbreak of cold sores. All there isn’t much scientific evidence to back up this claim, a lot of anecdotal evidence does exist. Some forms of essential oils that you may want to consider include ginger, thyme, hyssop, sandalwood. Once again, it is important to dilute the essential oils before you proceed to applying them on the skin.
Light Therapy
One other option that many do not consider is light therapy. Sitting down (or laying down) for a light therapy has numerous associated health benefits. One of these benefits is the fact that light therapy has been proven to be particularly useful in fighting off cold sores. You need to undergo light for just three minutes, two times a day and for three days only. This routine has proven to be effective in eliminating cold sores.
The logic behind this is that the wavelengths that are imposed upon you when you undergo light therapy, has been proven to improve the ability of the cells to fight off the virus. This prevents any further damage from occurring to the DNA of the cells that have been affected.
