More Natural Remedies

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are small blisters that usually appear around the outside of your lips or mouth, and occasionally on the nose or cheeks. Groupings of cold sore blisters are called a cluster.

Cold sores are very common and about 20 to 40 percent of the population experience an outbreak at least once in their lifetime. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex 1 virus. Some people carry the virus but may never experience a cold sore outbreak. Cold sores are very contagious, and can be spread from direct contact, such as during kissing or oral sex. You should also avoid touching your eyes or genital area without first washing your hands thoroughly.

Some people confused cold sores with canker sores, which are not contagious and are small, painful ulcers usually developing in the soft tissues in the inside of the mouth.

The term fever blisters was probably first used to describe the condition when the blisters appeared after a person came down with a fever. Cold sore outbreaks usually coincide with the weakening of a person’s immune system when the person is ill or under stress. It is believe that a person’s immune system at full strength keeps the herpes virus in check and prevents the flare-up of cold sores.

A pending cold sore outbreak usually starts as a tingling on your lip and a small, lumpy spot that you can feel but can’t see yet. In a day or two of the initial tingling sensation, red blisters would appear at that spot. The blister can be itchy and sometimes cause a stinging sensation. The blisters sometimes ooze a yellowish fluid and when the fluid dries, a yellow colored crust is formed. A typical cold sore outbreak usually lasts for 7 to 10 days.

After a flare-up the virus goes dormant and stays in the nerve cells, waiting to be triggered again by stress, anxiety, nutrient deficiencies, or other illnesses that weaken the immune system.

There is no known cure for cold sores. Once you are infected with the herpes simplex virus, you will have the virus with you for life. Because the virus resides in the nerve cells, it is difficult to treat. While you can’t kill the virus that’s responsible for cold sores, you can take steps to prevent, or reduce the frequency of, outbreaks, and to limit the severity and duration of flare-ups.

There are over-the-counter cold sore medicines that you can use just before or after an outbreak to help reduce the discomfort and speed up the healing process. These include ointments that numb the blisters, antibiotics that control resulting bacterial infections, and ointments that soften the crusts of the sores to make them less noticeable. However, these cold sore treatments using antibiotics can cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and worse yet, long-term use can cause the herpes virus to become drug-resistant.

Fortunately, there are many natural cold sore treatments that are just as effective in assisting with lessening the symptoms and help with healing without the side effects. Here are a few simple natural remedies that are used for the treatment of cold sores.

Ice – Ice cubes are especially effective at the start of a cold sore outbreak or to ease the discomfort after an outbreak had already started. Simply rub an ice cube directly onto the cold sore for a few minutes when you first sense it beginning to appear. Repeat this every 10 minutes for about an hour or so. The cold of the ice appears to stop the virus from reproducing and becoming a full cold sore outbreak.

Tea – A cold sore remedy that has shown effectiveness is Green tea or any tea containing tannic acid. It seems that the tannic acid stop cold sore outbreaks before they start and also help speed the healing once an outbreak occurs. At the first sign of an outbreak, steep a tea bag in boiling water for a few minutes; when the tea bag is still warm – not hot, apply the bag to the affected area and hold it there until the bag cools. Re-warm the tea bag and repeat the process. Do this a few times during the day until you no longer feel the outbreak coming on. When used after a cold sore outbreak the tannic acid in the tea help speed up the healing process.

Aloe – At the first sign of the tingling sensation, try rubbing juice from an aloe plant on the affected spot. This remedy is effective when used at the first sign of a cold sore, and will help speed the healing process immediately and keep the sore from spreading and worsening. Aloe gels can also be used instead of fresh aloe juice.

Lysine – Increase your dairy intake of the amino acid Lysine through foods such as red meat, milk, eggs, cheese, wheat germ, brewers yeast, and fish, or with supplements, while limiting your intake of the amino acid Arginine. Foods that are rich in Arginine include peanuts, chocolate, cereals, cashews, almonds, cola, beer, and foods containing gelatin.

Studies have shown that people taking the amino acid L-lysine prevented cold sore outbreaks or lessened the duration of their cold sores. It appears that herpes simplex virus uses the amino acid Arginine to grow and replicate, while Lysine inhibits the virus from replicating and spreading.

Lemon Balm – Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herb with antiviral properties. In a research study conducted in hospitals and dermatology clinics in Germany, lemon balm cream was found to reduce the healing of blisters from 10 days to 5 days in the control group. It has also been shown that lemon balm can actually reduce the frequency of cold sore flare-ups if used on a regular basis.

If you are thinking of trying a natural remedy for your cold sores, keep in mind that just because something is natural doesn’t mean that it is completely safe. Before trying any cold sore remedies or beginning any treatment regimen that may affects your body, consult with your private physician to discuss any possible side effects that may be harmful to your health.

Because of the nature of the herpes virus, getting rid of it and curing cold sores is difficult. At present there is no cure for cold sores. However, there are numerous effective home remedies that would help strengthen your body’s immune system

That will keep the virus dormant and reduce or eliminate the recurrence of cold sores. The first step in building up your immune system is to adopt a healthy diet. Diet has been identified as a factor in triggering cold sore outbreaks.

Research has shown that the ratio of the amino acids Arginine and Lysine plays a role in the outbreak of cold sores. The herpes virus responsible for cold sores needs Arginine to grow and replicate, while Lysine inhibits the virus’s growth. Foods containing high level of Arginine should be reduced or eliminated all together and substituted with foods rich in Lysine to keep the virus at bay. Cold sore outbreaks have also been connected to deficiency in zinc, calcium or vitamin B. If you are not getting enough of the amino acids Lysine or the other essential minerals and vitamins, dietary supplements may be warranted.

Besides a healthy diet, a change in life style can help boost your immune system. Fatigue can take a toll on your immune system. Try to get enough quality sleep every night and incorporate a moderate amount of exercise in your daily routine to reduce stress. Avoid direct exposure to the sun as much as possible since sunlight and ultraviolet rays can trigger breakouts of cold sores.

While there are many natural remedies for you to deal with cold sores when they flare-up, the best way to deal with cold sores is to prevent them from breaking out in the first place by strengthening the body’s ability to defend against the herpes virus. By taking good care of yourself you can help your body’s natural defend against the cold sore virus.

As with any home remedies, before starting on a program, consult with a qualified health practitioner or provider to be sure that a particular remedy will be right for you.