Learning how to get rid of cold sores will give you great relief when you need it most. Yes, you have probably seen some wild claims by a few companies. They try to convince you their magic ointment is how to get rid of cold sores.

We buy it and give it a fair try. It turns out to be just another product that does not live up to the promises.

To really understand how to get rid of cold sores, your first step is to know what causes them. Once you do this, then you will see how these proven methods work. You will get much better results this way.

An oral herpes event - often called a cold sore or fever blister - is created by the herpes simplex virus. It comes in two flavors - type 1 and type 2. Either one causes similar sores.

The herpes virus is extremely contagious and tough. Nearly everyone in the world carries it. When you first are infected, the virus chooses a nearby nerve fiber as a lifetime home.

Normally the herpes simplex virus is latent and not causing any problems. About 34% of those infected will never experience one cold sore. The other 66% will usually get one or more sores a year.

When you feel stress, your immunity will fade. This gives the herpes virus the opportunity to become active. From its hiding spot in the nerve roots, the virus will go to the surface, enter cells there, and create new virus.

Once full of new virus copies, the cells burst open and release them. All these close cells bursting open creates the oral herpes cold sore you see and feel.

Now your body must create new cells and skin to heal the damaged area.

Healing speed is different for each person. Your physical condition and activity levels will affect how quick you will heal. Also, having the necessary nutrients available is critical. This includes proteins and vitamins from your diet.

Our main purpose right now is to explain how to get rid of cold sores that you have currently active. However, you will also see how to prevent future oral herpes cold sore events.

1. INITIAL COLD SORE SIGNS

When you feel an itching or dryness, you can bet a new cold sore is only a day or two away. If you can catch the oral herpes cold sore at this early stage, you may not have to go through the lengthy healing process.

Do not delay. As soon as you feel these signs, apply ice cubes to the area. This discourages the herpes virus from reproducing. Sometimes, the herpes virus just gives up and goes back into hiding. Beautiful.

2. COLD SORE CLEANSING IS CRITICAL FOR QUICK HEALING

It is no secret that your body knows how to get rid of cold sores. One way your body does this is by creating a thick fluid to wash away as much of the new oral herpes virus as possible.

You can really help to speed up the healing process here.

Clean the sore as often as possible with throwaway alcohol or peroxide soaked tissues or paper towels. You will support healing by helping your body get rid of the virus more quickly.

3. FAST HEALING OF A COLD SORE ULCER

Ice is great at the very beginning, but it does slow down healing by driving blood away from the area. Use warm, moist heat once the sore breaks open. This will speed the repair of your cold sore a lot.

Many folks like using warm tea bags. Besides being very convenient, there are nutrients in tea that really discourage viruses and encourage skin repair. Throw tea bags away after use.

For best results, do not heat the bags in a microwave. The radiation reduces the effectiveness of the healing properties of tea. Use hot water to heat the bag. Applying for 10 to 20 minute sessions are the best therapy.

These methods have proven very effective for those seeking to learn how to get rid of cold sores, fever blisters and oral herpes. But you may need or want to learn even more tips, tricks and tactics.

If so, feel free to go to my web site where you will find a ton of free articles to help you understand exactly how to get rid of cold sores now, and in the future.