Learning how to get rid of cold sores using these basic steps is actually quite simple and effective. And it could save you quite a bit of money.



You see, there are a lot of wild claims for cold sore treatment methods and products that just do not perform as promised. You buy it and eventually throw it away.

Before you are able to truly learn how to get rid of cold sores, you should know exactly what they are.

The cold sore itself is formed by the total destruction of millions of close cells. These cells are destroyed as the final part of the herpes simplex virus replication process.

Nearly everyone (90%) carries this virus. It is normally dormant and hiding in the root cells of your facial nerves closest to the original infection spot.

Since it is very contagious, tough, and extremely good at hiding, you will carry this herpes virus for life.

Stress is the common trigger that usually activates the herpes virus. Stress changes your body to a slightly acid state and weakens your immune defenses.

The sole purpose of the virus, once awakened, is to create new copies of its own kind. It does this by wiggling to the surface along the nerve fibers and forcing millions of cells into being virus factories.

Once the cells are full, the herpes virus kills the cell to release all the new virus. As mentioned earlier, all these destroyed cells forms the cold sore ulcer.

The healing period begins at this point as your body creates new cells and skin to heal the massive destruction.

The speed of the healing process is dependent on your current health, and the availability of necessary nutrients. These include vitamins, minerals and proteins from your diet.

Here, now, is how to get rid of cold sores - in three easy and basic steps. No matter what else you do, you really should use these as part of the total plan.

1. FIRST COLD SORE WARNING SIGNS

This is subtle but very important. At the very beginning of a new cold sore event, you will sense some discomfort in the target area. This may include itching, tingling, burning and dryness.

Many people miss these warning signs and thus end up with a full-blown cold sore.

If you apply ice or other cold object during these early warning signs, you can delay the cold sore - or sometimes stop it cold.

If you are able to get rid of cold sores at this early stage, it is a real blessing because you avoid the two or three weeks of discomfort and healing.

2. KEEP THE COLD SORE AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE

Even without your help, your body knows how to get rid of cold sores. It creates a thick fluid to wash away the offending virus. This fluid continually weeps from the sore, just teaming with contagious virus particles.

Your body knows that the cleansing of the wound is extremely important for healing.

This is where you can really help it along.

You should use tissues or paper towels soaked in alcohol, wine, or peroxide to cleanse the wound of additional virus.

This will also help sanitize the area to prevent spreading the sore to a new location, such as your eyes.

3. COLD SORE HEALING TAKES TIME

During the healing phase, ice is not any longer a good cold sore treatment. It may reduce discomfort, but it really slows down healing. Now you must apply heat.

You can do this using throwaway paper towel dipped in hot water and applied to the sore. Or you can do what many do and use hot, wet tea bags.

The tea contains healing nutrients the will speed recovery. And they are cheap and convenient.

But, do not heat up in a microwave oven. This destroys the nutritional and healing properties. Use boiling water instead.

You will want to do 10 to 15 minute sessions with the heat.

As you can see - how to get rid of cold sores is actually quite simple using these medically sound and time proven methods that have worked for thousands of others.

There are other tips, tricks and tactics you can use to get rid of cold sores, but these are the basics by which everything else will work much better.

You see - the key isn't how to get rid of cold sores, but how to do so effectively and permanently.