Cold Sores, Symptoms & Home Remedies for Cold Sores Treatment
Cold sores are small, red and swollen blisters on the lips or around the mouth. It is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 and is also known as fever blisters. Although it commonly occurs on the skin adjacent to the mouth, it may also occur on the other parts of the body like nostrils, fingers, chin and genitals.
Cold sores are often associated with canker sores but it is totally different disease. Cold sores are liquid filled blisters that burst within two days and are highly contagious. While canker sore is a bacterial infection that is a round white area with sharp red halo and is not contagious.
Symptoms of Cold Sores
Cold sores come with headache, sore throat, fever, irritability and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or other body parts. You can also experience difficulty in swallowing foods and liquids, itching around the infected area and drooling to children.
Causes of Cold Sores
Herpes simplex virus type 1 is believed to be dormant. It lives in certain nerve cells in the body and wakes up and cause infection if triggered. Some of the reason that can triggers HSV type1 are:
- Infections, colds and flu
- Fever
- Sunburn
- Stress and Fatigue
- Ultraviolet radiation
- Trauma
- Allergies
- Change in Immune system
- Hormonal Changes; Menstruation and pregnancy
- Dental treatment or surgery
Home Remedies for Cold Sores Treatment
You can't do much in treating cold sore, since it goes through stages. But you can use these home remedies to lessen the irritation and sore and prevent outbreak in the future:
Ice - it is a very good relief for cold sore. Simply rub directly on the infected skin; you may do this every hour.
Tea Bag - slightly press the warm tea bag to the blisters. It has natural cleansing properties and it also helps in relieving pain and itch.
Licorice - it contains Glycyrrhizic acid that is believed to kill the type1 virus. Just chew licorice whip; you can also apply licorice powder directly to the sore.
Milk - applying milk directly to the sore can help relieve the pain and speeds up the healing process.
Witch Hazel - apply directly to the sore to relief pain.
Powdered common salt - pressing this to the sore can cause sting but it can help is drying out the sore.
Aloe Vera gel - rub gently to the sore to relieve itch and irritation.
Lemon balm Extract - it help is healing the sore faster and treat the symptoms.
St. John's wort - it has antiviral properties that can help in killing the type1 virus.
Oregon grape root - it has antiviral properties. Helps prevent outbreak.
Chamomile - has anti microbial properties and it contains "bisabolol" that can help in healing sores in the mucous membrane.
Proper Diet for Cold Sores
If you have cold sore you must avoid salty and acidic foods and foods that contain "argenine" like chocolate, oatmeal and peanut. Drinking coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages should also be restricted.
You should eat foods that are rich in iron, zinc and Vitamin A, C and E. Eat foods high in antioxidants and never eat processed foods.
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