Table of Contents
What are Cold Sores?
Cold sore is a common disease that is affecting tens of millions of Americans. When a cold sore starts to erupt, there will be a small hard wound on the lips but it cannot be seen with the naked eyes. Sometimes, it causes tingling. In 1 or 2 days after, a red blister appears [1].
Cold sore is caused by a type of herpes simplex virus, which can make an infection. Although there is no remedy for curing it completely, there are some available home remedies that may help to reduce frequency and limit disease duration [2].
Symptoms of Cold Sores
- The small blisters on the swelling, redness on your face.
- Pain or itching, usually 1-2 days before the blisters appear.
- Disease duration usually lasts from 7 to 10 days.
Cold sore usually appears on your lip. Occasionally, they appear on the nose, cheek or fingers. Although rare, it can occur in your mouth, but only on the palate. If pain occurs in the soft tissues in your mouth, it also can be mouth ulcers, not cold sore [3].
These symptoms begin within 20 days after the exposure to herpes simplex virus, and they usually last for 7-10 days. In this period of time, Blister is formed, then it breaks and oozes. After that, yellow crust is formed then ultimately exfoliates that leaves revealing pinkish skin and without scars when it is healed.
What cause Cold Sores?
You may be easily infected form the one that is having cold sores. Sharing eating utensils, razors and towels may spread the infection.
When a cold sore seems to starts, it may cause itching or swelling at the site susceptible, which forecasts virus attacks. Fever, menstrual cycle and especially expose to the sun can cause relapse.
Cold sore can be passed from person to person through skin-to-skin. The herpes simplex virus can be transmitted even when no blisters, but the highest risk of infection is from the time of blisters appear until they are completely dry and scaly.
If you are having a cold sore, avoid contacting with young children, people with eczema or who are immunocompromised, such as cancer, AIDS or organ transplant. This virus can cause serious illness to life for these people.
Here are the top 14 most effective home remedies for cold sores which are easy for you to apply at home in order to eliminate cold sores and improve your health overall…
1. Vanilla
Vanilla is one natural home remedies for cold sores. It contains alcohol that helps prevent virus and make you get relief soon.
Soak a cotton swab into an enough amount of pure vanilla tract. Then place this soaked swab onto the cold sore. Keep holding for a few minutes then remove. Repeat this remedy 4 times per day and continue until the sore disappears. Read more: Home Remedies for Toothache.
2. Licorice
Licorice is very amazing in helping remove the cold sore thanks to its natural component-glycyrrhizin acid. This kind of acid has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that can prevent virus cells and the symptoms of cold sore [4][5].
Take 1 teaspoon of licorice and add it ½ teaspoon of water into it then mix well. Alternatively, you can mix licorice with petroleum jelly at the same ratio. Use a cotton swab to take the mixture then apply it directly to the sore. You should notice to cover all the affected areas. Let the cotton swab be there for several hours or better for all night. Read more: Home Remedies for Oral Thrush.
3. Milk
It might seem strange but milk can be one of home remedies for cold sores due to the fact that milk contains immunoglobulin that can be very helpful in preventing virus. In addition, it has I-lysine component that can curb arginine – a kind of amino acid that cause outbreak, and support the process of healing [6][7][8].
Take ½ – 1 cup of fresh mil then dip a cotton swab into it. Apply the soaked cotton swab to the affected areas and keep it for several minutes. After that, soak a cotton towel into water and use it to remove the milk. Also you can use petroleum jelly instead of water for more effect. Read more: How to Get Rid of Dry Skin.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
It is one of the best home remedies for cold sore. The hydrogen peroxide solution can speed up the healing process and prevent the sore from spreading to other areas [9].
Take one teaspoon of hydroxide peroxide and pour it into a cup. Dip a cotton ball into the solution thoroughly then place it on the sore areas. Let it be there for some seconds then dab it around the cold sore. After 5 minutes, remove the ball and rinse off with water.
5. Peppermint Oil
This oil has properties that can help kill the virus causing cold sore. Also it will support and speed up the healing process [10].
Before applying peppermint oil, clean the surface of cold sore with water to remove dirt. Then pour an enough amount of peppermint oil into a cup. Dip a cotton ball into this oil then place directly on the affected areas. Hold it for several minutes then remove and rinse off with water.
Repeat the method 2 times a day.
6. Echinacea
Echinacea helps the process of fighting again cold sore as it supports the immune system and strengthens the defense abilities [11].
Prepare a cup of hot water and dip the Echinacea bag into it. Let the bag be soaked for several minutes then take it out. Wait for the tea become cooler then enjoy it.
Take the tea every day for more effects.
7. Vitamins E and C
Vitamins A and C are necessary for our body to strengthen the immune system as they can support the white blood cells. Also these kinds of vitamins can help reduce the irritating and pain causing by a cold sore [12][13].
The vitamins can be brought into your body through eating some kind of foods that contain them. Vitamin C can be found in red berries, kiwi, tomatoes, green peppers or spinach…while vitamin E is available in nuts, vegetables, grain and avocados.
8. Cornstarch Paste
Cornstarch paste is a totally safe home remedies for cold sores. It acts to neutralizers the pH that can make hard for the virus to develop. Moreover, it has ability to shorten the duration of the sore and promote the healing process as well.
Take 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and mix with the same amount of water. Until you get a thick paste, apply the paste directly to the sore then hold it overnight. In the next morning, remove the paste and wash off with water. Follow the method every night to get relief soon.
9. Witch Hazel
The leaves and bark of witch hazel are used widely in medicine for a long time. This kind of plant is available in North American. However, you can find witch hazel hydrosol that is available in general pharmacy. This kind of herb is very useful in treating some skin diseases, include cold sore.
Take one teaspoon of witch hazel and dip a cotton pad into it thoroughly. Then apply the cotton pad to the cold sore and the areas around it. Hold it for several minutes then remove and wash off with water. Follow the remedy 1-2 times a day.
10. Aloe Gel
Aloe gel can help you get relief soon from pain that caused by a cold sore. Its properties also can fight against bacteria that may cause and spread the sore to other areas [14][15].
Choose a long, fat Aloe Vera leaf and extract some gel from it. Apply the gel directly to the affected areas. Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in the Aloe Vera gel then apply to the sore. Apply the methods several times to get the relief soon.
11. Ice
Ice can reduce the level of pain and help you get relief as soon as you apply it.
Take 1-2 fresh ice cubes then put them into a pack. Apply the ice pack to the sore then hold it as long as possible.
You will find that the pain is reduced and disappear quickly. This method will bring you some temporary reliefs.
12. Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is very good for preventing bacteria as well as lessening the skin-splitting sensation whenever the sore get too dry. The method is better to apply after having an ice pack on the affected areas.
After you having ice pack, take an enough amount of the jelly and soak a cotton ball into it. Then gently place the cotton ball to the sore and the areas around. Hold it for several minutes and remove.
13. Protect Your Lips
The UV light is very harmful for the skin health. It is the cause of some dangerous skin diseases and lead to the sore outbreak. Therefore, whenever you have exposure to the light, remember to wear sunscreen and apply lip balm with an SPF value under 15.
This method not only prevents cold sores from erupting but also protects your skin from a tan.
14. Keep Your Lips Clean
It is very important that you should always keep your lips clean. When you get affected, it is recommended that besides toothbrush, you should remove all the things that contacted to your lips areas such as lip balm and make up tools.
The reason for this is that these things can brings virus to other healthy areas in your face that will lead to worse consequences.
Also remember to wash off your hand carefully whenever you touch the affected areas to make sure that there is no risk of spreading the cold sores.
These home remedies will be very helpful in limiting the duration of a cold sore and reducing the level of pain. However in case they do not work or the cold sore seems to be worse without signs of healing, maybe it is time for you to have a medical attention.
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