Cold sores can be promptly treated at home using simple home remedies such as: lysine supplements, tea, essential oils and abiding by strict levels of cleanliness and hygiene.
What are Cold Sores?
Cold sores occur when there is an infection by the Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV. It is a comparatively benign disease that characteristically manifests itself through sporadic and intermittent skin irritation, i.e. the cold sore.
Home Remedies for Cold Sores: Natural Treatment for Cold Sores
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| Cold Sore is a Herpes Simplex Infection |
Cold sores occur when there is an infection by the Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV. It is a comparatively benign disease that characteristically manifests itself through sporadic and intermittent skin irritation, i.e. the cold sore.
Home Remedies for Cold Sores: Natural Treatment for Cold Sores
- Tea: Tea is loaded with tannic acid, which has powerful anti-viral properties. Placing a tea bag on a cold sore just when it starts to form, helps diminish the degree and intensity to which the skin symptom will develop. Place a moistened tea bag over the affected area, for a few minutes, every hour, to obtain quick and effective relief.
- Aromatherapy: Certain aromatherapy essential oils are highly efficient in the management of most skin ailments, particularly, the Tea Tree essential oil. Research says that the Tea Tree oil possesses strong anti viral activity, especially, to the Herpes virus. It successfully treats the skin lesions and prevents an aggravation of the condition. Apply undiluted ti tree essential on to the sores and leave on for 2 to 3 hours.
- Lysine : Lysine tablets help treat cold sores. Take a tablet when you feel that a sore in coming on. Lysine shortens the length of the cold sore and prevents them, if taken just before they come on. Recommended dosage is 1000 mg, thrice a day when you have an eruption or feel one coming on. A clinical trial by the Southern California University assessed the efficacy of a lysine containing ointment. The researchers discovered that lysine brought about amelioration in 40 % of the patients by the 3rd day, and in 87 % by the end of the 6th day.
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| Tea can be used effectively to manage cold sores |
- Leave the cold sore alone: Do not pick or scratch a cold sore. That will result in a spread around the mouth, and will worsen the condition.
- Maintain good levels of hygiene: Keep the cold sore dry and clean. Use hot soapy water to clean the area. Also, dispose off the cloth and the water well. Wash your hands thoroughly after you touch the cold sore, it could cause a spread of herpes to other parts of the body.
- Prevent a spread: Apply Vaseline or Aloe Vera, it forms a blockade around it, and prevents it from spreading.
