|
More Cold Sores Treatments | FAQ's |
63
Cold Sores remedies suggested by our users
Cold sores, also called as fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus. Cold sores are contagious. They are often mistaken for canker sores – a non contagious mouth ulcer. Cold sores mainly occur on the skin adjacent to mouth, mostly on the lips. Sometimes they may occur on chin, nostrils, fingers or genitals. Medical term for cold sores is recurrent herpes labialis.
Symtoms of Cold Sores
Exposure to Virus
Generally signs and symptoms of cold sores are seen after twenty days of exposure to the virus. Small, painful and fluid-filled red or brown blisters could be seen on the skin. Blisters may burst and ooze. Tingling precedes blisters after one or two days. Once infected by the virus you may experience head ache, irritability and fever. There may be problem in swallowing any food stuff or liquid. Itching and swelling of lips are common. Lymph nodes on the neck may swell. Drooling may be seen among small children. Symptoms may last from seven to ten days.
Causes of Cold Sores
Cold Sores Symptoms, Causes, Remedy and Diet
HSV 1 AND HSV2 Virus
Herpes virus that causes cold sores is of two types – HSV 1 and HSV 2. In most of the cases HSV 1 is the cause. Generally HSV 1 causes oral herpes and HSV 2 causes genital herpes, but not necessary, both can infect any area of the body. As these viruses are contagious, cold sores can be caused by close contact like hugging and kissing with the infected person. It may spread among children by playing with the infected child. It may be that a person has recovered from cold sore and the symptoms are not visible but still his saliva may contain virus.
Reoccurence of Cold Sores
Some triggers like pregnancy, lips or gum injury, dental treatment, cosmetic surgery, fatigue, stress, hormonal changes etc may cause cold sore to reoccur.
Remedies for Cold Sores
Cold Sores home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers
Use Ice
Ice is a very good home remedy for cold sores. Rub ice on the infected skin for few minutes, repeat this every hour.
Use Tea Bag
Apply a tea bag for few minutes on the blisters, repeat this every hour. One can also consider pressing a warm tea bag on the blisters for approximately 30 minutes.
Other Remedies
Applying Witch Hazel on sores will give you some relief. Dip your moist index finger in powdered common salt and press the sore for 30 seconds using this index finger. Gently rub aloe vera gel or oil on the sores. Lemon balm extract helps to reduce symptoms and speeds up healing.
Those having weak immune system will take more time to recover and may face more severe consequences.
Diet for Cold Sores
Cold Sores : Home Remedies suggested by users
Cold Sores Diet
Avoid acidic and salty foods. Foods such as chocolates, peanuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat are high in arginine, therefore they should be restricted. Avoid tea and coffee. Eat vitamin rich diet. Your diet must include vitamin A, C and E. Zinc and iron are also necessary. Include garlic in your diet. Eat fresh food with high antioxidants and high complex carbohydrates. Avoid processed food. Eat lots of fruits and green leafy vegetables.
Suggestions for Cold Sores
Other Suggestions for Cold Sores
Always wash your hand after touching your fingers or genitals. Always avoid direct contact with the blisters due to cold sores. Apply sunscreen cream on the susceptible areas. Never share your personal belongings like tooth brush with the infected person.
|
63 Cold Sores remedies suggested by our users |
Top |
Treatment of cold sores
suggested by Robert on Thursday, January 15, 2009
|
| Soak some cotton wool in white vinegar and apply to infected area 4 times daily. |
Cold sores natural treatment
suggested by Eddie on Sunday, December 14, 2008
|
| I have suffered with occasional cold sores most of my life (55yrs).Over the years I have tried several remedies, ie: aloe vera, nail polish remover, lip balms, Carmex, Mentholatum, Anbesol, and many other things. The latest attempts have been the most successful for me. Oil of Oregano has worked well but it does sting some. The last and best "cure" for me has been a silver bearing gel, more specifically mAGnum Power Gel, available at most health food stores. Just yesterday I felt the onset of a sore and applied a small dab to the sore a couple of times and it was gone today. I find most remedies work well the first couple of times and then seem to lose their effectiveness over time. The silver gel has been the best performer to date. It also works quite nicely on canker sores, put a dab on a cotton swab and apply to the sore and keep it on the sore for a short time. |
Various strategies
suggested by Benn on Monday, June 9, 2008
|
| I have suffered from cold sores on lips, inside nose and in and around the right eye (totally horrible). After much research and a detailed blood analysis from a qualified naturopath, I found I had low zinc and iron levels, both heavily implicated in the root cause for the HSV-1 virus to "flare up". In conjunction with this, the majority of people consume significant quantities of products containing white flour (ie, most breads, cakes, muffins etc.) which contain high levels of gluten. Gluten has been scientifically proven to lower a large proportion of humans' immune systems (some more than others). As a result I COMPLETELY eliminated white flour and pasta products and substituted them with spelt, rye or kamut breads, flours, pastas etc. Not only are these products enormously higher in nutritional value, they are a hundred times tastier. I instantly felt a difference in overall energy levels as these products are more easily digested and have far lower GI ratings. This will have a significant impact on your immune system. In conjunction with this, if you are low in zinc or iron levels (only a qualified naturopath or GP can diagnose this) as I was, taking supplemental iron and zinc in picolinate forms (highly absorbable for people with lower immune systems) will assist greatly. Other advice is to completely eliminate alcohol, and sleep well every night, not most, all. Further, as everyone knows but does not adhere to, only eat products made from the above mentioned ingredients, lots of salads, vegetables and fruits and I guarantee if you abide by all my advice (as I do), you WILL NOT get cold sores ever, unless there is an underlying issue (such as severe health conditions OR people who have anger management issues). A normal everyday person WILL benefit as I have, the food you eat is crucial. There is no miracle lip balm that will stop the virus from sprouting out. They MAY temporarily inhibit a cold sore forming, but as soon as you forget to smear it on or get too run down, it wont help, but my approach will strengthen your immune system and actually make you feel alive again. In saying that, there is a lip balm I recently came across which has the best ingredients related to the HSV-1 virus, its called COLD SORE SALVE, it's made in South Australia and has the following ingredients; raw beeswax, organic coconut oil, grapes seed oil, organic lemon balm extract, organic saint john's wort extract, essential oils of eucalyptus, lemon, margosa, turpentine bush & organic tea tree, cold pressed apricot & sweet almond oils, water, ethanol, organic astragalus extract, organic echinacea purpurea extract, witch hazel extract, myrrh, benzoin & labdanum extracts, cats claw & shiitake mushroom extracts, organic elderberry extract, menthol, white camphor, salicylic acid AND l-lysine. This balm WILL work and soothes your lips. If you are serious about not getting outbreaks which seem to arrive at the most inconvenient time, adhere to my advice, I am a changed man for doing so. Good luck! |
Liquoice lip balm
suggested by Sophie on Thursday, May 29, 2008
|
Hey guys, for all you people who suffer from cold sores like myself and are desperate to find a cure, there is a lip balm called liquorice lip balm which is to prevent and shorten the healing process. Because I had done some research on google, and there was a woman who said that she had suffered severe frequent cold sore attacks since a very young age and had tried every type of cure/remedy, and had no success. Until one day she tried the Liquorice lip balm. And apparently she had not suffered from any cold sore attacks from as long as she has been using the balm! Also there was another story of another woman who said she also suffered frequent attacks, and didn’t believe it would work until one day she tried it, and has said she has not suffered any attacks for the last 16 months! All I can say is wow! I have not tried it personally yet, but if definitely am going to buy some. You use it as an everyday lip balm, even if you do not have an outbreak of blisters.
|
Cold Sores Treatments. More... |
|