Cold Sores: Home Remedies for Cold Sore Cure

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus, hence the ailment is very contagious. Before resorting to any cold sore home remedies, it would be prudent to take a few simple precautions to limit its spread. Heed these measures as there is no cold sore cure and one has to wait for the illness to run its course. Some precautions that can be taken are:

• Avoid touching the cold sore often. In case you do touch it, wash your hands with soap.
• Do not keep your toothbrush along with other toothbrushes in the bathroom. Discard the old toothbrush as it would probably contain the virus. Keep your toothbrush dry as a moist one will assist the virus to propagate. Use a separate tube of toothpaste, as there are chances of transmitting the virus while applying paste to the brush.
• Use a separate towel.
• Avoid kissing.
• Apply petroleum jelly to any external blisters (around the mouth) as it prevents further spread of the infection. Read more on How to Prevent Cold Sores.

There are five stages to the ailment: the tingling stage which indicates the onset of the ailment, blister stage, oozing / weeping stage, drying / crusting stage and finally the healing stage. During this 10 day phase, some cold sore home remedies can help ease the discomfort caused by these boils. Read more on How Long do Cold Sores Last.

Cold Sore Home Remedies
As already mentioned, there is no cold sore cure but the following cold sore home remedies (keeping in mind the above precautions) will definitely help in alleviating pain and discomfort.

• Apply Zinc: Application of water based zinc solution not only speeds up the healing of the sores but also reduces soreness.
• Take Lysine Supplements: Potatoes and dairy products are rich in lysine and intake of lysine helps alleviate discomfort besides reducing the duration of the infection. Lysine ointment is also available with chemists.
• Use Ice: Ice should be applied on the area when a tingling sensation is first felt. The cold compress decreases the severity of the cold sores. Apply ice cubes to the sore every 15 to 20 minutes for as often as possible during the start of the infection.
• Dab with Witch Hazel or Alcohol: As soon as the sores surface, if they are dabbed with witch hazel or mild alcohol, it will hasten the drying up of the blisters.
• Use Lemon Balm: Lemon balm has antiviral properties and its use is said to reduce the drying up process of blisters from the usual 10 days to 5. Lemon balm cream is available over the counter at most chemists.
• Apply Peppermint oil: Recent studies have shown that peppermint oil penetrates the skin and attacks the herpes virus. However, caution should be exercised if a patient has sensitive skin as mint oil can cause skin burns.
• Reduce Intake of Arginine: Arginine which is found in foods containing chocolates, peanuts, grains, peas, oatmeal and whole-wheat products are known to aid the growth of the herpes virus. As such, their intake should be restricted while a patient is convalescing from the ailment.
• Gargle with Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is a traditional remedy for treatment of all wounds and also speeds up the healing process of the blisters. One may also gargle with a solution of a few drops of the oil in water several times a day.
• Aloe Vera Treatment: Aloe Vera has been used for several centuries to treat skin diseases. It can also be effectively used for treating cold sores as it accelerates the process of healing. Apply it to the sores at least thrice a day.
• Protection from Sun and Wind: Bright sunlight and winds cause additional trauma to the affected lips, hence avoid exposure to these elements. If going outdoors is unavoidable, then use sunscreen (of at least 15 SPF). Petroleum jelly could be applied in lieu of sunscreen. Read more on Home Remedies for Cold Sores.

Rather than treat cold sores, it would be best to try and prevent the onset of the disease. Being a viral infection, boosting one's immune system is the best remedy. Suffering from cold sores tends to be a social embarrassment besides the discomfort of the blisters. As there is no quick fix cold sore cure, these above mentioned cold sore home remedies help in reducing the time taken for the sores to heal and also ease the pain and discomfort.