Treatment of Cold Sores

When it comes to cold sores, there's only one course of action everyone wants to take - heal them as quickly as possible. These unsightly and often painful sores seem to make their presence known at the most inconvenient moments, like the day of a photo or the evening of a special romantic dinner. Yet, there are simple and effective natural remedies that can decrease the duration of a cold sore and put a smile on your face instead.

Lysine supplements are perhaps the best natural way to heal a cold sore. This amino acid is one of the building blocks of protein. It's found in red meats, fish and dairy products. But to fight a cold sore, you will need more than the amount found in your daily diet. Studies have shown that taking 1,000 milligrams of lysine in supplement form reduced the occurrences of cold sores. However, to eliminate a cold sore, more of this supplement may be taken, but it's not advisable to take large amounts of this amino acid for long periods of time. The best course of action is to increase the amount of lysine during a cold sore outbreak and to return to a lower maintenance dose afterward.

Another effective natural remedy is to apply cold compresses to the sore. This works best at the earliest onset of a cold sore and has been shown to significantly slow the growth of the infected area. Besides retarding the development of the cold sore, this remedy eases the pain and stops the spread of the infection.

Aloe Vera gel is commonly used as a natural remedy with positive results. The application of this gel speeds up the healing process and decreases the pain of a cold sore. Mint is recommended and can actually heal the sore in as little as 5 days. A favorite treatment popular in Europe is lemon balm. This herb is in the mint family and can reduce the severity of a cold sore.

In the fight against cold sores, boosting your immune system is by far the single most important factor. Since a virus causes cold sores, if your immune system is operating properly, there will be a dramatic decrease or even elimination of cold sore outbreaks. Taking a daily multivitamin is a must, but if you're prone to cold sores, consider taking a higher amount of the B complex vitamins. This group of vitamins is very active in the fight against the virus that causes cold sores.

Getting enough sleep is also important so that your immune system will not be overly stressed. The elimination of certain foods from the diet may also decrease the occurrence of cold sores. Grains, peanuts, chocolate and wheat products should be avoided, while limiting the intake of sugar, caffeine and citrus fruits.

Cold sores are common but you can take the necessary steps to prevent or heal them. Since the underlying cause of cold sores is a virus, preventing them by boosting your immune system is a great place to start. If you already have a cold sore, home remedies offer you the advantage of immediate treatment without the possible complications of prescription drugs. These natural ways of healing and treating cold sores can stop these nasty blisters—cold.

Did you find this article on cold sores useful? If so you might like to find out more about the treatment of cold sores