How to Get Rid of Cold Sores?

Cold sores, the small and painful infections that attack the skin and nerves and look like chicken pox, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1, which is believed to lie dormant in certain nerve cells of the body until it is activated by stress, anxiety, a cold, or excessive exposure to the sun. These cold sores last anywhere from 7 to 14 days.
  All of us can catch HSV-1 by kissing a person with a cold sore or sharing a drinking glass or utensils. It is highly contagious infection. Some people use the terms “cold sore” and “canker sore” interchangeably, but they are different. Unlike cold sores, canker sores are bacterial infections inside the mouth that are characterized by small, round, white areas surrounded by a sharp halo of red. Cold sores, on the other hand, are red, pussy blisters usually appearing on or around the mouth and lasting for 1-2 weeks. While cold sores are highly contagious whereas canker sores are not.

Remedies to get rid of Cold Sores

• Clean the cold sore with hot soapy water and a clean washcloth to clean the cold sore and surrounding area at least once a day. Overscrubbing, however, may cause further irritation and prolong the infection.
• Avoid touching the cold sore, as skin-to-skin to contact can spread the herpes infection.
• Apply an over-the-counter anesthetic. A local anesthetic ointment containing benzocaine can help numb the pain temporarily.
• Consult your health-care provider. If you have frequent or severe cold sores, see your doctor. In some cases, an antiviral medication called acyclovir can be used to treat cold sores.
• Pregnancy and menstruation - they can trigger a hormonally induced outbreak of cold sores. Follow the above advice to minimize these occurrences. In the case of pregnancy, follow your doctor’s advice concerning vitamin or supplements.
• Get the proper amount of rest. A person that receives an adequate amount of sleep is more likely to be stronger and healthier than the person who tries to get by on a minimal amount of sleep.

If you suffer from cold sores, you are in the majority. Because herpes is spread so easily, it is important that you take measures to avoid passing the virus on. Frequent hand washing is a must, and be especially careful not to kiss anyone. An accidental peck on the lips has been known to spread the virus. If your cold sores persist for longer than two weeks, even with home treatment, you should consider seeking professional medical treatment, especially if you experience frequent symptoms of the herpes type 1 virus or suffer irritation in the eyes.

Home remedy and treatment for getting rid of cold sores

1. Applying Witch Hazel on sores will give you some relief.
2. Acidic and salty foods should be avoided. Foods such as chocolates, peanuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat are high in arginine, therefore they should be restricted.
3. Avoid tea and coffee. Eat vitamin rich diet.
4. Applying sunscreen to your lips may help prevent sun-induced recurrences of cold sores.
5. Changing your toothbrush may help reducing the cold sores.
6. Take a leaf from an aloe vera plant and rub the liquid from it onto your cold sore blister.
7. Ibuprofen is a useful home remedy for cold sores as well as additional bodily ailments.