Approximately 40 million people suffer from cold sores annually, but that doesn't make anyone feel any better about suffering with this painful and unsightly condition. Luckily, preventing an occurrence of cold sores and reducing the amount of healing time are within your ability to control by doing a few very simple things. If you do nothing at all a cold sore will usually heal up in eight to ten days, but the problem is most folks aren't willing to wait that long. Here's some information that should help you get effective relief from the discomfort of cold sores.
Most of the time cold sores will occur in or around your mouth. There are a number of different factors that can raise your chances of experiencing an outbreak, and almost all of them are related to an immune system that isn't functioning as it should. If you have too much stress, do not eat a well-balanced diet, do not get enough rest, or have an immune system being attacked by illness, you are at a greater risk of having a cold sore outbreak.
The appearance of a cold sore is often preceded by itchiness and tingling in the affected region. Next the area starts to swell and turn red, followed by the emergence of the actual sore. The sore will start to ooze pus for a short period of time, and then it will scab over. It's important that you don't pick at the scab because you will delay the healing process.
Due to the fact that a cold sore is actually a viral infection that's activated by the herpes simplex virus, you can never "cure" them. With this kind of infection antibiotics have no effect, and a lot of folks are hesitant to rely on other types of prescription meds that are able to control symptoms. However, you would have to take the time to see your physician and then spend money to fill the prescription, and what you get may not work any better than other therapies out there.
You can find all-natural ways to take care of your cold sore outbreak that may be more appealing to you. A great way to avoid getting a cold sore is to take vitamins like Vitamin C, and that will also help increase your immune system. Keeping your lips moist so they do not crack and create pockets for the virus to settle is another line of defense that can be achieved by using herbal lip balms, aloe vera, or some of the additional natural healing products on the market. L-lysine is another natural remedy that can help your sore to heal more quickly.
But the most successful way to avoid developing cold sores is by eating a healthy diet, being well rested, and maintaining a generally healthy lifestyle. If you have too much stress, work too hard, or are ill, you are inviting cold sores to develop. Take good care of yourself and you can prevent the problem from even arising.
You might be surprised at how many truly effective ways there are to clear up your cold sores using natural remedies. You can try a number of different remedies, anything from lemon balm to ice for treating cold sores. Find out more at Home Remedies for Cold Sores.
