Discomfort and embarrassment are the main reasons for trying to heal a cold sore quickly and permanently. But there are other reasons worth noting here.
- HERPES VIRUS INFECTING YOUR EYES
It is very easy to spread the herpes simplex virus to your eyes while treating one on your lip. Every time you get a cold sore you are at risk of infecting and damaging your eyes. Use extreme caution with contaminated fingers or towels.
- ALZHEIMER'S AND COLD SORES SHOW RELATED ACTIVITY
Scientists have found similarities between Alzheimer's and cold sores. It does not mean that cold sores could cause Alzheimer's, but it is interesting that they do share similar protein activity. Preventing cold sores before they happen may become more important as the facts unfold.
Here are top first aid techniques you can use for quickly healing your cold sores. The quicker you can get rid of a cold sore, the sooner you can get on with your life.
1. FIRST AID FOR COLD SORE DISCOMFORT.
Applying ice is one of the best and quickest ways to reduce the pain of a cold sore. A frozen tea bag is even better for this purpose since the tea contains some anti-viral properties.
Some of the drug store cold sore remedies contain ingredients - such as benzocaine - that will numb the area. These remedies generally do not work as well as ice, but are much more convenient at work or travel.
You can reduce the headaches, fever and swollen lymph glands with your usual medicines for these purposes - such as aspirin or Advil.
2. FIRST AID CLEANSING OF THE COLD SORE
First aid for any sore requires constant cleansing with an antiseptic solution. In the case of cold sores, alcohol or peroxide are the treatments of choice. Not only will you be sterilizing the area but also wiping away millions of herpes virus particles.
Use throwaway cotton balls or tissues for convenience and safety. You do not want to spread this highly contagious virus.
At the drug store, you can get individual use alcohol packets that are very convenient. Just wipe and throw away. Keep them in your desk, pocket or purse.
3. FIRST AID FOR HEALING THE COLD SORE
A lot of skin cells are destroyed in the creation of a cold sore. Your body will heal itself but you can speed it along with the application of Aloe Vera gel.
Aloe Vera is an amazing remedy for healing. For best results, you must use living gel from a live plant. The bottled stuff is not nearly as good because the enzymes are killed in the bottling process.
The following remedy combination will give good results also, with or without the Aloe Vera cold sore treatment.
Apply a warm, wet tea bag for 10 to 15 minute sessions. After each session, apply a zinc-based salve or gel. Some of the drug store remedies contain zinc. By itself, these salves do not do much but, in combination with the tea bag application, they seem to really help.
4. MORE FIRST AID TIPS FOR COLD SORES
Start taking a good quality multi-vitamin every day. You will find your sores are not as bad and they will heal much faster. Often people find they get fewer and fewer cold sores the longer they take vitamins.
Ice has always been one of the best remedies for cold sores if used prior to the sore opening up. Once this happens, your sore is in the healing mode and ice will slow down this phase. Ice is still good for the pain but fast healing depends on the application of heat.
Using one of those numbing remedies now will not interfere with healing and will give you some relief from the discomfort.
One very painful part of a cold sore event is the cracking of the scab when you smile or chew. It also slows down the healing process.
Applying oil to keep the scab soft will reduce painful cracking. You can use any vegetable oil but olive oil and garlic oil are exceptional for this.
Avoid the need for first aid of your cold sores by making an effort to prevent them in the first place. With what we know about cold sores today, it is relatively easy to reduce cold sore occurrences by 50% or more. For many folks, just taking a daily vitamin will achieve this.
You are unique. No one is quite like you. As such, some remedies will work for you that do not work for other people. You will need to keep trying different things. If you do, you will soon discover the best way to prevent your cold sores.
Some methods are quick, easy and work great. But there are many remedies that are a big waste of money when you need cold sore relief.
Please do not waste any more money before you try these simple, proven tactics for relief of your cold sores.
Are you seeking fast cold sore relief for an immediate problem?
First, you want to reduce or eliminate the pain. Next, you want to avoid further embarrassment and hassle by healing the sore quickly and completely.
Cold sores form on the end of nerve fibers by the replication action of the herpes virus. This will cause swelling of both the sore area and nearby lymph nodes.
You may also notice a slight fever and some possible headache action.
To deal with the headaches and pain, many folks take a pain and fever reducer such as aspirin or Advil. Generally these products are a good first step toward cold sore relief.
They will not totally eliminate the pain, but will help to some degree.
Next - application of ice will help reduce pain, fever and swelling very quickly. Ice also slows down - or even stops - the herpes virus reproduction process.
Although ice is available virtually everywhere, and is great for cold sore relief, it is not always convenient to use. At work or driving are both awkward times to use ice.
For times when using ice may be difficult, You will find some of the drug store remedies may be a convenient choice. Look for over-the-counter products, such as Campho-Phenique, that contain numbing agents.
These remedies often work quite well for cold sore relief - by numbing the nerve tips and reducing discomfort. Quite frequently these remedies also provide protection from secondary bacterial infection.
Keep in mind, however, that most of these products only provide comfort and do not speed healing of the sore. They often make big claims, but so far have not proven to actually shorten the duration of an outbreak.
Ice is probably one of the best remedies for stopping pain and reducing swelling and fever. But, once your sore blossoms open, your sore begins the healing stage. And ice will slow down this process.
Cold drives healing blood away from the wound.
Applying warmth during the healing period will give you the best cold sore relief by helping to cure the outbreak fast.
Hot water applied with a cloth will help. A warm, wet tea bag is a better choice. The tea contains ingredients that give excellent cold sore relief - by speeding up the healing process.
While in the healing phase, clean the sore area regularly with cotton balls or tissue soaked in alcohol or peroxide.
When the sore scabs over, keep the crust soft by applying olive oil, or other similar oil. This will reduce painful cracking of the scab.
After your current sore is fully healed, you should make an effort to reduce the possibility of future cold sores.
It is amazing. Nearly 35% of people who have the herpes virus never get cold sores. The primary reason is a strong immune system. Do you get a lot of cold sores each year? If so give the following method a try. It is quite likely you need it.
Many folks have greatly reduced the frequency of their outbreaks by merely taking a good quality daily multiple vitamin and mineral formula.
Do not buy grocery store vitamins - the one or two per day variety. Go to a good vitamin store or go on-line. A good, complete formula will require at least four to six capsules per day to provide the proper quantities of essential nutrients.
The nutrients that will benefit you the most in preventing cold sores are zinc, calcium, magnesium, beta-carotene, the B vitamins, and vitamins C and E.
Dealing with existing cold sores calls for the application of ice at the start, and then warm tea bags during the healing phase. Continuous cleansing of the sore with alcohol will speed healing also. Keep the crust well oiled for additional comfort.
For preventing or reducing the appearance of new cold sores, strengthen your immune system. Do this with good food choices and proper nutrition.
A good quality vitamin supplement may be all you need for permanent cold sore relief.
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