Cold Sore Remedies
It first started as a tingling sensation. You also felt some burning and itching. Soon tiny blisters start to form. They keep getting larger and soon you have one ugly and painful cold sore. The only thing on your mind is “how do I get rid of this quickly?” Here are some cold sore remedies that can help:
1. If your cold sore is in the early stages, topical cream Abreva can speed up your healing. Your cold sore won’t last as long and won’t be as bad. It’s an OTC medication and can be bought at the store. Many users swear by it’s effectiveness. Unfortunately it is a little pricey.
2. Increase your Lysine intake and reduce Arginine. Lysine is an amino acid that restricts the growth of the herpes virus. Arginine, on the other hand, is used by the virus to grow. So, eat lysine rich foods such as legumes, meat, vegetables, eggs and dairy products. Stay away from nuts, chocolate and caffeine. Another way of increasing your Lysine level is by taking supplements. Lysine cream and lip balm can help reduce the discomforts of cold sores.
3. Use lemon balm. Lemon Balm, also commonly known as Melissa, is a herb with a lemony scent that looks a lot like mint. This herb has antiviral properties. Studies suggest that it can help sooth the itching, tingling and burning sensations of cold sores.
There are several ways to use lemon balm as a remedy. You could get lemon balm tea bags, brew it as a tea, then apply the liquid on the sore using a cotton ball. Don’t throw away the tea bags. Freeze it and later apply it on the sore. The icy coldness relieves your pain and the antiviral properties helps to cure the sore.
Of course, you could also drink the tea. Freezing the tea and then sucking on the ice chips is another idea. Then there are also lemon balm cream and lip balm.
This herb is not recommended for pregnant and nursing women because it can effect the uterus and the body’s hormonal balance.
4. Treat it with St. John’s Wort essential oil. When applied topically, the sore heals quickly as it has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. You only need a very small amount because the essential oil is very concentrated.
5. Ice it. Apply an ice cube directly on the sore for 15-20 minutes several times a day. By reducing the temperature in that region, you stifle the development of the virus. The numbing effect also provides some relief from the pain and itchiness. This method works best for cold sore remedies during the beginning tingling stage.
