But because everyone is unique, some treatments might be more effective on one person than another. Sometimes you need to test or combine two methods, in order to discover which cold sores treatments work for you.
It also helps to know what triggered the sores in the first place. This can help you decide on which of the different treatments to try first. The triggers themselves can vary, from sunburn, to flu, to fever. The treatments can be more easily determined when you know how the cold sores started.
Cold Sores Treatments
Lysine
Lysine is an amino acid . Some people recommend lysine for cold sores (about 5,000 milligrams per dose, in supplement form, when the outbreak begins.) Some people who take 500 milligrams of Lysine daily, to prevent themselves from getting them. But it is also said that this is not advisable as the body might get used to it in the system, so that it would not work as well during an outbreak.
Zinc
Another supplement used as a treatment for cold sores is Zinc (a mineral which is commonly taken as a supplement). There are two ways to use zinc. You can either apply it directly to the lesions, or take it internally. Most people usually do both, to achieve a faster healing period.
Calcium
Calcium, also a mineral, can also be used as a treatment for cold sores. Calcium is used by the body to keep the system alkaline (not too acidic). Most people who suffer from this malady have too much acid in their system. Calcium can neutralize this acid, and might also stop the outbreak.
Ice
Some people rely on old-fashioned cold treatment for cold sores. This is another type of treatment is readily available at home. All you need to do is to apply ice to the target area, when you feel a sore coming. This should be done before the blister or lesion "blossoms.? It will reduce the swelling, as well as give some relief. But, once the lesions are out, discontinue applying the ice - it tends to slow down the healing process.
Tea
You can also use frozen iced tea bags, instead of ice. Once the lesions burst, you can apply warm tea bags to them. These may be applied for 15 minutes per session. The heat from the tea bags makes the healing go faster. Further, the nutrients in the tea hamper the virus? activity from progressing.
Cold Sores Natural Remedies
Now having said that, do not be surprised if he or she is 100% behind your decision to try a natural alternative ? indeed many doctors will advise their patients to try them as a first course of action before that has even occurred to the unfortunate sufferer themselves. With the massive expansion of the internet over the last few years, there is a huge amount of information exchange going on that just wasn't there before.
Causes of Cold Sore:
Cold sores are painful, fluid-filled tiny blisters that appear on the lips and around the nose. They usually appear in association with a cold-hence the name. It is caused by one of two highly contagious viruses:Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. When the body is stressed, or its immune system is compromised, the body becomes an easy attack of this virus.
Symptoms:
Warning symptoms of itching, burning, increased sensitivity, or tingling sensation may occur about 2 days before lesions appear.
* Skin lesion/rash located around the lips, mouth, and gums
* Small blisters (vesicles), filled with clear yellowish fluid
Home Remedies for cold sores
Apply an ice cube to the sore point for a few minutes at a time.
Lysine ? A lot of today's over the counter medications for cold sores contain lysine. Basically, lysine is able to inhibit the HPV virus's ability to replicate itself. When you increase your lysine intake, you can reduce the recurrence of cold sores and at the same time dramatically reduce the pain, swelling and discomfort when cold sores do break out. You can easily find lysine in dairy products like milk and also in yoghurt.
Apply a tea bag for few minutes on the blisters, repeat this every hour. One can also consider pressing a warm tea bag on the blisters for approximately 30 minutes.
Vaseline ? Vaseline is one of the petroleum-based cold sore remedies capable of soothing the cold sores with preventing cracking and dryness. It is also helpful in protecting your cold sores against bacterial infections.
Prevention of cold sores
* Get a new toothbrush after you had cold sores.
* Wear a hat and use a sun block on your lips if sun appears to trigger cold sores.
* Take 500 to 1000 milligrams of amino acid daily. Or eat foods such as kidney beans, and corn.
* If stress seems to bring on cold sores find ways to relax exercise and practice yoga or meditation.
Both Anna Williams & Brain are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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