Cold Sore Home Remedies
Cold sores are painful in their different stages. They can pop up without warning or signs. They can be contagious and unsightly. When a person gets a cold sore, they want to get rid of it due to the fact it looks horrible but also because it is painful and makes eating or drinking very uncomfortable. Here are some remedies to relieve the pain of the cold sore and to reduce the healing time. One of the most important factors when having a cold sore is to make sure you have enough liquids. Keep yourself hydrated since your body will need the liquid to heal faster. Even if it is painful to drink, try consuming the liquids with a straw to reduce the levels of pain associated with the cold sore.
Use salt to help dry up the area of the cold sore. The salt will aid in the healing process but it will possibly sting on the initial contact with the wound. Only apply a small amount and over time, it will dry up the painful sore. Apply aloe liquid or gel to the area of the cold sore. Aloe has natural healing properties that aid in the process as well as softens the painful area so while the cold sore is healing, it will not crack or split open. When the cold sore becomes painful, rub ice on the area. The ice will relieve the pain temporarily but also help to reduce the spreading of the cold sore virus. After a few minutes of the ice on the cold sore, pat the area dry and apply aloe gel for faster healing.
Use a warm damp tea bag applied to the cold sore to help speed up the healing process. Tea bags have tannic acids that help to reduce the spreading of the cold sore virus as well as act as a soothing treatment. Eat yogurt to aid in the healing with the natural ingredients the body needs to fight off the infection. Yogurt also helps to avoid getting the cold sores by providing the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to fight of the potential infection.
Add healthier foods to your diet. The natural nutrition of vitamins and minerals will help to avoid and heal the cold sores. If you continuously get cold sores, you may have the Herpes Simplex 1 virus, which is the virus that causes the cold sores. When you get the cold sores frequently, contact your physician to see what your other options may be for treatment.