One thing that everyone can agree on is a cold sore is never a welcome thing. These small blisters are not only painful but they look unattractive as well. In addition to trying to cover them up, most people are looking for quick remedies for cold sores.
A trip to the drugstore will usually yield a number of preparations that are designed to help you deal with a cold sore. It’s important to remember that most of these types of products aren’t really remedies. Instead, they are made to help alleviate the symptoms as opposed to getting rid of the sore itself. If you are experiencing pain and dryness with your cold sore, these over the counter remedies will help ease those problems. Although you can certainly go see a doctor to get a prescribed medication to rid you of this nuisance, there’s a number of things you can do at home to help speed the healing process.
There are many natural remedies for cold sores that many people swear by. One of these is ice. However, it must be used early. In order to get the full benefits of ice you need to apply it when you feel the cold sore forming. If you wait until it’s blistered and open, the ice will do little good. That’s because the ice, when applied early, acts as a deterrent. It slows the growth of the cells so the sore itself will never fully mature.
Another approach that many people believe works well is a tea bag. Again, this is one of the remedies best used early in the sore’s development. Like ice, it works to kill the cells before they have a chance to fully develop. You don’t need to brew the bag in warm water before using it. Simply wet it and place it on the area where you feel the cold sore is developing.
Some individuals feel the best way to treat one of these pesky sores is to try to avoid them in the first place. This involves pre-treatment for folks who are prone to getting cold sores each year. One of the easiest and most effective remedies is to keep the lips soft and supple. If your lips become sunburned, your risk for getting a cold sore increases. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep a tube of lip moisturizer on hand and use it regularly. Also for prevention always use sunscreen when outside. If the lip area is constantly exposed to direct sunlight, cold sores can pop up.
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