The best cold sore remedy is what you search for if you always suffer from a cold sore in hard times at exams or before important dates or interviews which makes you feel embarrassed, so this article is your aim.
What is a cold sore?
Do you know those blisters which fill with fluids and appear around your mouth and on your lips and are very painful?
Of course, you know it. Don’t ever pop it.
Cold sores are the symptoms of the herpes simplex virus (HSV), It is a very contagious virus, easily spread between people and remains in the body after the first outbreak hiding in your nerve cells waiting for the suitable chance to express itself.
The frequency of cold sore outbreaks differs from person to person according to lifestyle and strength of his immunity system. Cold sores are also called fever blisters or oral herpes.
Are cold sores widespread?
More than 50% of people in the United States are infected with the herpes virus causing cold sores (HSV-1), although many of them don’t show any symptoms.
Symptoms of a cold sore:
1-The first sign is usually a tingling and burning sensation before the sore develops.
2-Then show signs of inflammation, redness, pain, and swelling.
3-The weeping phase is when sores rupture and ooze fluids.
4-Then for about 5 days crusts and scabs cover it.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV):
There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus:
1-Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1): usually causes cold sores around the mouth and is known as oral herpes.
2-Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2): mostly causes genital herpes, but cold sores on the mouth can cause genital infection.
What are the triggers?
1-Stress (Immune system comprised).
2-Hormonal disturbance, women experience it usually with the menstrual period, follow the article to know a tricky way to hide the blisters.
3-Sun exposure for long times.
4-Sleep deprivation
5-Contact with infected people
6-Sharing makeup utensils or toothbrushes.
7-After dental work with contaminated instruments.
8-After fever.
Cold sore lasts for 7 to 10 days then heals completely, but causes tingling sensation and may break up and ooze fluids, so you need a fast remedy to avoid the occurrence of this embarrassment.
The Best cold sore remedy:
A- Home remedies:
1-Ice:
Ice is a fast and best cold sore remedy as it relieves the painful feeling and inflammation, but don’t apply it directly on the sore, pack it.
2-Aloe vera gel:
Aloe vera is a popular best cold sore remedy as it is a houseplant easily found in your garden and has an anti-inflammatory and antiviral effect besides its benefits to the skin generally.
3-Kanuka honey:
It is honey with a medicinal effect, use it daily directly on the sore till it clears up.
4-Lemon palm oil (Melissa officinalis):
It is an ancient and best cold sore remedy used by the Greeks and Romans over 2000 years ago as herbal medicine and aromatherapy and recent researches show that it also reduces the signs of inflammation and limits future infection.
5-Essential oils:
Essential oils like peppermint, rosemary, or thyme may be a helpful cold sore remedy.
Apply one of them diluted on the sore daily and you will notice relief.
B- Medical cold sore remedy:
1-Oral antiviral medicine:
Antiviral oral medication speeds healing and prevent recurrent infection.
a-Acyclovir (Zovirax).
b- Valacyclovir (Valtrex).
c-Famciclovir (Famvir).
d-Penciclovir (Denavir).
2-Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (pain killer):
Relief signs of pain, follow all directions on the product package.
3-Over the-counter- topical remedy:
-Abreva cream:
Apply a thin layer of Abreva cream on the tingling area 4:5 times daily, wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying cream, and avoid touching your eyes.
-Docosanol 10 %:
It works by stopping the herpes virus from entering healthy skin cells. It doesn’t prevent passing the infection to someone else. Decrease tingling and inflammation symptoms.
4-Sunscreen:
Protects your lips while healing and decreases the possibility of future outbreaks.
5-Cold sore patches:
Contain hydrocolloid active gel which creates a virus shield to help reduce contamination and also fast healing.
6-Lysine:
Lysine is an essential amino acid that may help slow down the growth of the herpes virus as it prevents the body from absorbing Arginine (amino acid the virus needs for multiplication) which makes it difficult for the virus to reproduce.
You should start using any of the previous methods of treatment once you feel a tingling sensation.
What you should skip (avoiding these points is the best cold sore remedy):
-Sharing makeup with friends.
-Sharing cups or spoons.
-Sharing toothbrushes.
-Touch the sore then touch your eyes or genitalia or another part of your skin as it is a highly contagious virus.
-Rubbing cold sore cream as it may damage the skin.
-Eating spicy food during infection will be painful and may increase inflammation.
-Acid fruits such as tomatoes and oranges.
What you should do:
-Wash your hands usually with water and soap before and after applying cold sore cream and after touching the affected area.
-Learn your triggers and avoid them.
-Take enough night’s sleep.
-Use sun cream and a sunblock lip balm (SPF 15 or higher) may help to prevent it.
-Be careful around people with low immunity systems as babies or pregnant women.
When to get professional advice?
A cold sore is a mild case that heals completely within a few days or by asking your pharmacist for advice, but people with a weak immune system who had several outbreaks in a year should go to the specialist to avoid future complications and ask for the best cold sore remedy.
Cold sore complications:
1- HSV Keratitis:
Transmission of infection to the eye could be a serious case as it may end with blindness if not treated.
2- Genital infection:
The virus can spread to the genitalia causing ulcers through oral sex which is a serious case that recommends asking for help from your doctor.
How to cover the blister?
You first choose your best cold sore remedy from what was previously mentioned then use this tricky way to hide the blister until healing.
1-Apply your antiviral cream.
2-Cover the blister with a patch.
3-Use a disposable sponge to apply your makeup.
4-Apply green-based concealer.
5-Finally, apply your foundation.
summary:
The best cold sore remedy is the aim of each person suffering from those itchy painful blisters which appear around the mouth and lips caused by herpes simplex virus, but before searching for the best remedy, learn how to avoid infection and also how to control spreading.
It is a mild case that usually heals within 7:10 days, but pain, redness, and itching sensation push the person to find the best cold sore remedy.
Written by: Dr.Amal Almallah
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