Cold sores are a popular viral infection that affect an estimated 50% of adults in the United States. They are caused by infection from the herpes simplex virus and often appear occasionally in flare ups. In this short article, we discuss the best home remedies for cold sores including peppermint oil, teatree oil, lemon balm and sunscreen. Read on to learn how to treat cold sores at home.
Cold sores are a common viral infection. They are tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips. These blisters are often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a scab forms that can last several days. Cold sores spread from person to person by close contact, such as kissing. They're usually caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and less commonly herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Both of these viruses can affect your mouth or genitals and are usually spread via oral sex. Cold sores are contagious even if you don't see the sores. There is no known permanent cure for cold sores, but treatment can help manage outbreaks. Prescription antiviral pills can help sores heal more quickly and they may reduce the frequency, length and severity of future outbreaks.
More than 2/3 of adults worldwide are believed to carry the herpes simplex virus that contributes to cold sores. Most of these people will never show serious symptoms, but may see sores appear occasionally around their lips and mouth. Cold sores can be annoying, but are usually harmless. As such, many people prefer to treat them using a combination of home remedies and prescription medications. The following are a few of the most popular home remedies for cold sores.
Peppermint oil is a popular essential oil that is thought to have antiseptic properties, meaning it has the ability to kill harmful microbes prevalent in cold sores. A lab study published in the National Library Of Medicine found that daily consumption of peppermint oil was able to kill active herpes strains, even if the strains showed resistance to other treatment methods. To help heal cold sores, apply peppermint oil directly to the sores at their first appearance.
Teatree oil has multiple antiseptic and antiviral properties that enable it to effectively treat and heal cold sores. You can apply tea tree oil directly to the affected area using a cotton swab. After it has been applied, the oil has been shown to temporarily dry out the skin around the cold sore. Teatree oil should be applied throughout the day and reapplied when the sore becomes painful again.
A recent study found that consistent application of lemon balm to cold sores may reduce virus penetration by as much as 96%. The antiviral properties of lemon balm and its associated oil allow it to exhibit antiviral action against cold sores. Multiple surveys have shown that daily treatment of cold sores with lemon balm oil can heal cold sores twice as fast as other methods.
Ice has been found to be one of the most popular and effective cold sore treatment methods. To treat cold sores, place ice on a cool, wet towel and apply it to the affected area for 20 minutes three times a day. Cold sores thrive in warm, moist environments, making ice treatment one of the best ways to alleviate those nasty cold sore blisters.
Dabbing a small amount of aloe vera on cold sores multiple times a day may be able to reduce swelling and inflammation, studies show. For best effects, it is advisable to apply the aloe vera gel directly to the affected area and give it at least 3 hours to set in.
Sunlight is a proven natural trigger of cold sores that can lead to nasty outbreaks of dormant herpes virus strains. Using a sunscreen and lip balm that contains at least 30 SPF has been shown to reduce the frequency of these uncomfortable outbreaks. Look for a hydrating, high SPF lip balm that both protects against the sun and keeps your lips hydrated and moisturized.
Beyond treating cold sores, sunscreen is also useful in maintaining skin tone and protecting against UV radiation. To learn more about the benefits of sunscreen, click here.
According to the World Healthcare Society, toothpaste does not remove cold sores but can reduce pain caused by the small blisters. Toothpaste solutions that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a sulfacant popular in skincare products, are thought to be most effective at treating cold sores. SLS can help numb the surrounding area and dry out cold sore blisters.
Cold sores are tiny, fluid-filled blisters that are a common symptom of herpes simplex virus infection. They can be treated using antiviral medication such as valacyclovir. For many patients, natural remedies for cold sores, such as aloe vera, sunscreen, and ice, may also be helpful.
Cold sores can be alleviated with aloe vera, sunscreen, ice, and lemon balm, among other remedies. However, in most cases, antiviral medications can be more effective. Valacyclovir is the one of the most effective cold sore remedyies and is available here at Cloud9 Healthcare today.
Click here to start your Valacyclovir treatment for cold sores today!
Cold sores are a common viral infection that affect an estimated 50% of adults in the United States. They are caused by infection from the herpes simplex virus and often appear occasionally in flare ups. In this short article, we discuss the best home remedies for cold sores including peppermint oil, teatree oil, lemon balm and sunscreen. Read on to learn how to treat cold sores at home.
