Cold sores, also known fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. The virus will then lie dormant in your body's nerve cells waiting for the ideal conditions that will activate it and then it travels to your mouth and nose area where it forms blisters.
Things that activate the herpes virus include stress, anxiety, a cold, exposure to sun and wind.
There is no cure for the herpes virus, but you can treat cold sores very effectively.
So, the most effective way to treat a cold sore is not to give it the conditions it needs to grow and thrive. Keep your body healthy and prevent fever, infections, colds, fly, UV exposure, stress, fatigue, low immune system, trauma, food allergies and menstruation. Some of these triggers are unavoidable but if you take care of them as soon as they appear, you can avoid a cold sore eruption.
Here are some effective cold sore treatments that will decrease discomfort, accelerate healing, prevent reoccurrence and passing the cold sore virus on to other people.
Decrease discomfort
Decrease your intake of salty and acidic foods. Foods like potato chips or oranges will irritate the cold sore thus increasing discomfort.
To decrease pain you can take some regular painkiller such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Covering the cold sore with petroleum jelly will soothe the dry and itchy cold sore and also speeds up healing.
Accelerate healing
Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid which is known for its ability to inhibit the herpes virus and prevent it from spreading further. Real the labels to make sure you are buying real licorice.
Extract of olive leaves is an excellent antibiotic and it will decrease the pain and discomfort.
Apply a cotton ball soaked in milk to the cold sore. Not only will it soothe the area, if apply right at the beginning of the cold sore it accelerates healing of it immensely.
Garlic is a strong natural antiviral. Take garlic capsules daily to reduce the intensity of the cold sore or place a cut garlic clove directly on the cold sore to help along healing.
Prevent reoccurrence
The virus can live in you toothbrush, and you have to replace you toothbrush after the blister has formed and again after the cold sore has healed completely.
Avoid overexposure to the sun and wind. Cover you lips with a high factor sun block when you are outdoors. Cover you nose and mouth with a scarf if you are outside in windy weather.
Learn how to cope with stress, because stress is a trigger for cold sores. Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, relaxing, reading, touch therapy. Sucking on zinc lozenges during times of stress to help you handle stress better and zinc also boosts the immune system.
Avoid spreading the virus
Cold sores are very contagious and you must avoid kissing and sharing eating utensils or any other personal items with a person who has a cold sore. Wash your hand as often as possible with hot water and soap, or if you are not close to a basin make sure you carry a hand sanitizer with you.
To learn more on cold sore treatment of just general information on cold sore medicine, visit ColdSoresTreatments.com
Author: Bruce Conings
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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