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Home
Remedy for Cold Sores
Isn't it nice to know
there's a home remedy for cold sores?. What are these sores
anyway?
Cold sores are small,
painful, fluid filled blisters on a raised, red painful area of your skin
usually on the lips. Sores can also occur on nostril, chin and fingers or inside
mouth
usually on the gums or hard palate. If sores appear on the soft tissue, then it’s probably
a canker sore.
Pain or tingling often
precedes the blisters by 1 to 2 days. Usual duration of
blisters is 7
to 10 days.
Cause
of cold sore
Cold sores are caused by
herpes simplex virus, and they are contagious through skin to
skin contact.
Sores develop usually
anywhere up to 20 days after exposure to the virus. Blisters form,
break and
ooze. The wound usually heals without a scar.
Cold
sore treatment / remedy
Cold sores generally clear up
on their own without treatment. However, see a doctor if:
 You have a weak immune system due to a pre-existing
health condition
Symptoms are severe resulting to a lot of discomfort and
unbearable pain
Cold sores don’t heal within a week or two on their own
There is an irritation in the eyes ( a sign of herpes simplex
infection
in the eye which
causes scarring, a leading cause of blindness in the United
States.
Your doctor may prescribe an
antiviral medication to treat cold sores.
Home
remedy for Cold Sores
Eating
foods rich in Vitamins such as fruits and vegetables, will help speed up the
healing
process. Aloe Vera has long been used as an healing agent. You could apply
Aloe Vera gel
on the cold sore, use Aloe Vera lip balm or drink Aloe Vera juice.
The use of tea bag is another commonly used home remedy for cold sores
especially in
the early stages. Tea bags contain tannic acid which contains antiviral
properties. Hold
a warm tea bag on cold sore for a few minutes every hour.
Rubbing ice on the infected skin for a few minutes every hour will also
reduce the
symptoms of cold sores.
Use petroleum jelly to moisturize and soften cold sore scabs to prevent
cracking and
bleeding.
These home remedies for cold sores are cheap, easy to find and easy to
use.
When
you have a cold sore;
Since cold sores are highly
contagious, it is recommended that you keep away from the
following groups of
people who are at a high risk of severe infection.
Infants
Anyone who has eczema (atopic dermatitis)
People with suppressed immune system such as organ transplant and AIDS
patients.
Preventing cold
sores
Avoid kissing and touching other people while blisters are present
Avoid sharing towels, utensils and other items when cold sores are
present
keep hands clean
Sunblock will help prevent cold sores
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