Cold sores (fever blisters) usually appear with a cold. These are painful fluid-filled small red blisters that appear in the areas of lips, nose and outer edges of mouth.
The cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2. This virus is very contagious. When the body's immune system is weak, this virus can attack the body. It is rather a reactivation of virus already living in the body. Cold sores may appear after cold or flue, fevers, stress, fatigue, injury to the lips or during menstruation. Cold sores may also indicate a deficiency of calcium in body.
Cold sores may last from 10-14 days. If the sores last longer than two weeks or occur frequently, it is advisable to see your doctor.
Causes of Cold Sores
Cold sores image
The herpes virus attack the body when the body's immune system is poor. Herpes simplex is highly contagious. To boost the immune system, combine equal parts of tinctures of calendula, echinacea, oats, burdock and lomatium and take 1/2 teaspoon four or five times a day.
- Avoid using the same cups, plates, towels, with others and avoid skin-to-skin contact.
- Don't use the same towels, razors or utensils as someone with cold sores.
- Avoid kissing someone with cold sores.
- Avoid sex with someone who has genital herpes (sores).
- Use a sunscreen of at least 15 SPF on your lips and other susceptible areas.
- Replace your toothbrush after an attack.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching the cold sores.
Home Remedies
- Apply ice for five to ten minutes each hour at the start of the cold sores. This will prevent their further development.
- Press a warm tea bag on the cold sore for 20-30 minutes. The tannic acid in the tea has antiviral properties. This will prevent further development of sores. Within a few days days the sores will disappear.
- Avoid acidic foods list and salty foods.
- Foods high in arginine such as those containing chocolate, peanuts and other nuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat products should be reduced from the diet.
- Reduce intake of coffee.
- Taking B complex supplements with B12 vitamin and folic acid is helpful.
- Make the following formula and store it in a bottle.
Coconut oil: 100 ml, Dettol : 1 ml and Carbolic acid: 3 ml (available from chemical shops, you can replace carbolic acid with teatree oil)
Apply it on cold sores once or twice to get rid off sores. This formula, evolved by the authors of this web site, has a very high success rate, not only for cold sores but also for boils, minor itching at under arms, between the thighs, anus, mosquito bites, etc. You can keep this bottle for years to treat such conditions. - Apply Witch Hazel on sores.
- Press or rub an ice cube on the cold sore for a few minutes every ten minutes for an hour. This will lessen the size of the sore preventing the movement of the virus.
- Moisten your index finger and press it on powdered common salt and then onto the sores for 30 seconds. Do it twice a day for 2-3 days.
- Take four acidophilus capsules three or four times a day with milk.
- Rub aloe juice or aloe gel on cold sores.
- Apply a cornstarch paste.
- Lemon balm extract may reduce cold sore symptoms and speed up the healing.
- Apply spirit of camphor on the sore.
- Herbal Sage, Tea Tree Oil and the herbal sedative Violet have been used as treatments for cold sores. Make a tea by adding two or three Sage leaves and a small ginger root piece or ginger powder to a cup of boiling water and steep. Drink 2-3 cups a day.
Also Read The Following
Stomach Pain Relief | Acidity symptoms | Bee sting treatment | Heartburn Remedy | Common cold cure | Cold sores remedies | Sores throat home remedy |Natural constipation remedies |Canker sores cure | Home Remedies for diarrhea | Home remedies for sinus infection | Ear infection remedies | Ear wax removal at home | Chapped Lips Home Remedies | Fat Lips treatment | Grey hair remedies | Indigestion and loose motion | Heat rash remedies | Hiccups home remedy | Kidney stones home remedies | Hemorrhoids home cure | Head lice remedies | Sunburn symptoms | Sunpoisoning symptoms | Weight loss home remedies | Yeast infection home remedy | Grandma's home remedies | Herbal Remedies
Disclaimer: Please note that the home remedies for cold sores are only for minor common symptoms and should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. You should not rely on these remedies. Always consult your Doctor for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. You should also avoid using any of these remedies if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. The writer of this article or fatfreekitchen.com is not responsible in any manner.