1. COLD SORE FIRST AID FOR DISCOMFORT

Ice is one of the most universal cold sore remedies for stopping the pain and swelling. If used early and often, it can stop any cold sore dead in its tracks. If you use wet, frozen tea bags, you will accomplish the same thing but will also benefit from the special antiseptic properties of the tea plant.

You may not be able to use ice when driving or at work. In that case, check out some drug store cold sore remedies that have pain deadening ingredients - such as benzocaine or lidocaine. Ice works better, but these will give some relief when you cannot use ice.

For the headaches, fever and swollen lymph glands, use your favorite aspirin-type product. This will give some relief and help you to function better in your daily activities.

2. COLD SORE FIRST AID FOR KEEPING THE SORE STERILE

Cold sore first aid requires keeping the wound clean and sterile. The best way to do this is with alcohol or peroxide - applied with throwaway tissue or cotton balls. Clean the cold sore as frequently as possible. Sanitize your hands afterward with hand sanitizing gel.

Some folks claim great success using wine or brandy in place of alcohol for the cleaning process. Makes sense since these products also contain nutrients known to be helpful to the healing process.

3. COLD SORE FIRST AID FOR FAST AND EFFECTIVE HEALING

Cold sores are caused by massive cell destruction. The body must take some time in repairing the damage and replacing the skin cells. Here are a couple of proven first aid tactics you can use for this.

Apply fresh Aloe Vera gel - from the leaf of a live plant. (Bottled gel has been killed by the bottling process and does not work.) You will be astounded how quickly Aloe Vera speeds skin growth. It is like skin fertilizer.

If you do not have access to a live Aloe Vera plant, here is first aid you can use that works with or without Aloe Vera.

Warm up any tea bag in water, not microwave. Apply this warm bag to the wound for about 15 minutes at a time. After you are done, apply a zinc based salve or gel. You probably can find a zinc containing salve among the cold sore remedies at the store. Some folks just rub a wet zinc lozenge on the sore (the kind you suck on for head colds).

4. BONUS COLD SORE FIRST AID TIPS THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Ice is probably one of the best cold sore remedies - if used early. Once the sore opens up, however, ice can slow down healing dramatically. Cold drives away healing blood from the area.

Once your cold sore breaks open, it begins the healing mode. To relieve pain at this point, use the numbing remedies mentioned above. These will not give as much comfort as ice, but will not slow down healing either.

Now is the time to start applying heat as often as possible.

Start using a daily multiple vitamin program. A good vitamin will consist of a daily dose of four to six large tablets or capsules. Anything less and you might as well save your money. Many folks report reducing and preventing cold sores by as much as 50% using this therapy.

When your sore has a scab, it will painfully crack when you smile or move your mouth. This really slows down healing because the scab is constantly trying to repair itself too.

Your best bet is to keep the scab well saturated with oil - such as olive oil or vitamin E oil. This will keep it soft and flexible for less cracking.

The best cold sore first aid is stopping cold sores before they occur. This used to be quite difficult, but now more and more people are finding their personal cure for cold sores.

Cold sores affect each one of us differently, because each of us is unique. You will have to try different cold sore prevention methods - and perhaps combining them. Eventually you will discover, as millions of others have, the secret to personally preventing cold sores.

Imagine how wonderful life can be when you no longer have to cope with cold sores.