Ice has a strong numbing effect and it activates the nerves wherever you apply it.
This herb has a lemon scent and it is frequently added to teas. Get some lemon balm and make tea with it. Ice it and drink this tea. It boosts the body's ability to treat this outbreak with its anti viral effects. This is quite a popular remedy for cold sores. There are many ways in which you can use lemon balm to work on your cold sore.
Lemon balm cream : You can get a lemon balm based cream from a reputable seller. Lemon balm may also be written as Melissa officinalis (Its biological name ). The effectiveness of this cream depends on the concentration of lemon balm extract in it. Most creams have mild concentrations. But, they still help to calm a cold sore, and in most cases, keep it at bay.
Lemon balm tea : Get dried lemon balm. Make a strong infusion of these dried leaves in water. Concentrate it by boiling water repeatedly. Then , use a cotton ball and apply this tea onto your cold sore.
Lemon balm oil aromatherapy : This is a novel method of using lemon balm on your cold sore. Get lemon balm essential oil. Add 4-7 drops of this essential oil in boiling water in a pan. Take steam from this solution. The healing vapors of lemon balm penetrate the skin and provide relief from a painful cold sore.
" Lemon balm can reduce the frequency of recurrence of cold sores. It has been seen in some people that after using lemon balm on their cold sores, they never reappeared. This is incredibly useful for chronic cold sore sufferers. "
( Photo Courtesy: 95661536@N05 )
4. Salt With Toothpaste
Use a toothpaste on your cold sore. Take some on your palm. Mix a pinch of common salt over it and properly mix them. Now, with a finger, apply a generous amount of this mixture on the cold sore.
Why it works ?
A small section of people recommend that it works. It must be something in the toothpaste that dries a cold sore.
( Photo Courtesy: elisfanclub )
6. Camphor containing cream
This is to be done only when you are completely sure that the cold sore is not open or releasing any pus or fluid. So, this procedure works only when the cold sore is small. Just bring a camphor containing cream and just touch it for few seconds on the cold sore.
Caution : Do not use camphor more because it can be toxic to the body. Never ingest camphor and keep away from reach of children.
( Photo Courtesy: carrotmadman6 )
7. Aloe Vera gel
The gel of Aloe Vera plant is soothing for our skin. It helps in sunburns, cold sores and numerous other conditions.
- Ingredients
Aloe Vera gel ( the natural gel from fresh leaves would be awesome, but you can also work with a store bought aloe vera gel )
- Directions / How to use
Take out a pea sized amount of Aloe Vera gel. Apply it on the cold sore, covering it completely. Also cover a small region outside the cold sore. Apply 3- 4 times a day and do not wash it off. If you need to wash your face, do it. But, apply the gel again.
- Why it works ?
Aloe Vera contains a substance known as allantoin. It is used in medical formulations to treat a cold sore. So, you have an excellent home based treatment for cold sore. Aloe Vera can be safely used inside the mouth or the nose as well.
"Some Hemorrhoid creams also have allantoin , which explains why they work for cold sore. "
( Photo Courtesy: mbiddulph )
8. Witch Hazel
Walking along the trail of aloe Vera, we stumbled across witch hazel. It is a nice, soothing remedy for cold sores. Witch hazel works in numerous ways to speed up recovery from any cold sore.
- Ingredients
Witch Hazel gel
- Directions / How to use
Dab a pea sized amount on the palm and apply it over your cold sores.
- Why it works ?
Witch hazel is an astringent. It helps to heal the skin and dry out a cold sore. You recover faster from a cold sore by using witch hazel regularly. Just make sure that you get the best quality witch hazel gel.
( Photo Courtesy: quinnanya )
9. Foods that contain lysine
Research has established lysine as a proven cold sore fighter. Lysine is an amino acid which is a precursor of protein. It is found in some of the protein rich foods. If you eat these foods on a regular basis, it may so happen that your cold sore would never appear again. Lysine keeps the herpes virus under control.
So, what foods are rich in lysine ?
Eat more eggs, chicken, cat fish, beef for higher intake of lysine. For the vegans, you should eat soyabeans, navy beans, kidney beans, sesame seeds. This works for children and people of all ages.
" Eating foods rich in lysine definitely reduces the frequency of outbreaks "
10. Black currants
These purple black colored fruits have anti-viral properties and hence support the body in suppressing the activities of this herpes virus.
( Photo Courtesy: tusnelda )
11. Bee Propolis
This is a resin like substance obtained from bee hives, kind of like myrrh. It works against the herpes virus too. Propolis, although seems rare, but it is abundant as honey in nature. It has been used by people of ancient civilizations as a treatment for numerous common conditions.
- How to apply propolis for cold sore ?You can get an ointment containing natural propolis. Apply this ointment as per directions, generally 3 - 4 times a day.
You should avoid using natural propolis directly, as it has been known to cause allergic reactions in some people.
( Photo Courtesy: blumenbiene )
12. Avoid stress
Stress powers the virus and makes it active after many years of dormant stay in the body. It is very important to keep yourself away from stress, at almost any stage of life. Stress is so detrimental to your health, although it might not seem so evident. It definitely activates the herpes virus and delays recovery time. I recommend that you drink chamomile tea at night time to relax and release some of that accumulated stress.
13. Avoid intense sunlight
Sunlight is a known trigger of cold sores. The herpes virus, lying dormant and inactive in nerves within our bodies may suddenly be activated one day by sunlight, or some other disease. You can do your part by using a sunscreen whenever you go out in sunny locations.
14. Tea Tree Oil For Cold Sores
One of the finest home remedies for cold sores is tea tree oil. This is the essential oil from tea tree. It is antiseptic, anti-bacterial and some anti-viral properties. But most importantly, the herpes virus hates it.
- Ingredients
Tea tree essential oil
- Directions / How to use
Take a cotton bud. Dip it into tea tree oil and apply a bit on your hand. If you are able to bear the essential oil ( without much burning ), then you can apply it directly to the cold sores. Avoid using it inside the mouth, on tongue or nose, just on the face, like cheeks or lips. Tea tree oil can improve the healing time by about 50 %.
- Why it works ?
Because of its anti-viral properties which keep the herpes virus in check.
( Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia )
Keep your immunity up to the mark by always eating healthy and exercising. Our immune system enters the center stage of action to combat an active herpes infection.
Cold sores is a nasty infection. It can easily last for 14 days, and that two weeks of pain and frustration. Cold sores is a herpes virus infection, and like all viral infections, they are not so easy to combat. With a sound strategy and by eating really healthy, one can minimize the pain and recover faster.
People who suffer from recurring cold sore breakouts ( like 4 or more per year ) should really do something to keep the virus from activating. They should eat foods rich in L - lysine and anti-viral foods like lemon balm, lemons, blackcurrants, garlic etc. And yes, avoiding stress is the key to preventing breakouts.
Cold sores is highly contagious. Take care that these virus do not reach any other part of the body when the ulcer is oozing fluid. If the pain is sharp and doesn't relieve, visit the doctor promptly.
