Cold Sore Treatment and Prevention
Home and Over-the-Counter Remedies for Fever Blisters
Cold sore sufferers don't have to give in to this embarrassing condition. Understanding how to prevent and treat cold sores will ease discomfort and speed healing.
Approximately 90% of adults have been exposed to the herpes simplex type I virus that causes cold sores on the mouth and nose. The virus is transmitted through shared cups, utensils, cosmetics, and, of course, through kissing. Once contracted, this virus resides in the nerve endings until it is triggered. When triggered, a cold sore will erupt, creating a tingly, itchy, fluid-filled blister or cluster of blisters that is uncomfortable and embarrassing. A cold sore can take up to two weeks to completely heal.
Cold Sore Prevention
Preventing cold sores becomes easier once the common triggers have been identified. Excessive sun exposure, colds and flu, stress, pregnancy, lack of sleep and poor diet can all make a cold sore sufferer more prone to outbreaks.
Cold sore sufferers should wear sunscreen on the mouth and nostrils, avoid stress, be sure to get adequate sleep and eat a healthy diet to decrease the frequency of cold sores. While pregnant, a woman should be especially sure to do all of these things to prevent outbreaks. These measures will also help to prevent colds and flu, as will frequent hand washing and avoiding others that are sick.
Cold Sore Home Remedies
There are as many home remedies for cold sores as there are cold sore sufferers. All of the home remedies work best if a cold sore is caught at the first sign of the itchy tingle that precedes the blister stage. If caught early and treated frequently, many cold sores will not advance to the blister stage or the blister will be minimized.
Applying ice can slow down or halt the progression of a cold sore, as can applying a paste made of baking soda and water. Vitamin E, squeezed from a capsule, can slow or minimize a cold sore. Tea tree oil has been effective for some cold sore sufferers. Despite how intensely itchy the first stage of the cold sore can be, avoiding the urge to itch will minimize the cold sore and prevent it from spreading. If a cold sore sufferer itches, then hand washing is imperative to prevent the cold sore virus from being transmitted to the eyes or nostrils.
Pharmaceutical Remedies
Sometimes, home remedies aren’t enough and the cold sore sufferer knows that this particular cold sore is going to be a bad one. This is the time to reach for the over-the-counter cold sore remedies. One of the best is Abreva, the only FDA approved treatment to shorten cold sore healing time. Alternatively, CamphoPhenic, made from camphor oil, has been used on cold sores to dry out the blisters.
Cold sore sufferers don’t have to give up hope and learn to live with their embarrassing condition. Working hard at prevention and knowing when to reach for both home remedies and pharmaceutical remedies will greatly minimize outbreaks and duration, making cold sores a thing of the past.
Sources:
E Medicine Health, website for consumer first aide and health information
Website for Abreva
