The herpes simplex virus type 1 causes cold sores.
Once you contract the virus, it stays in the body's nervous system, and you cannot cure it.
However, next we will discuss how to get rid of cold sores fast and naturally.
The virus stays inactive in your body until it is triggered by fever, a cold, another viral infection, overexposure to the sun and wind, stress, menstruation, high levels of arginine in your body or a poor immune system.
Then it moves through the nerves to the lips and forms the cold sore.
Cold sores are very contagious and studies indicate that more than 30 percent of children carry the virus before they reach the age of ten.
The average cold sore develops in six stages and it normally lasts for 10 days, but with the advice below you can shorten the healing time to 3 days, if used correctly.
The immune system.
Echinacea and goldenseal extract are immune system boosters and can prevent a cold sore from appearing.
You can take the advised medicine dropper-full once a day for 3 days.
To enhance the treatment you can also apply Echinacea directly to the cold sore with a cotton ball and leave it there for a few minutes, repeat this at least 5 times a day.
Vitamin B complex is also an excellent immune booster and it aids in healing.
100mg of B-Vitamin complex twice a day will help keep cold sores away.
Lysine Lysine is an amino acid that fights the cold sore virus by competing for absorption with arginine (an amino acid the virus needs for development).
Lysine is available in supplement form and you can take 500mg twice a day for the duration of the cold sore and as a preventative measure.
Lemon balm This is a very popular treatment for cold sores.
It contains high amounts of polyphenols and is believed to reduce colds sore outbreaks.
Lemon balm is available in creams or as a tea.
Drinking the tea will also aid in fighting the virus because of its antiviral properties.
Another great antiviral is garlic because of its Kyolic content.
Cut a clove of garlic in half and place the cut surface on the cold sore for one to two minutes or alternatively you can take 2 garlic capsules daily.
Quick healing Place a small amount of salt on the cold sore with a piece of cotton wool and hold it there for two minutes.
The salt does sting a bit, but it is excellent for quick healing of the cold sore.
You can also mix your own cold sore gel.
Mix 12 drops of Sandalwood essential oil, 6 drops Eucalyptus essential oil and 1 drop Ravintsara essential oil with 1/2 teaspoon Organic Aloe Vera Gel.
Apply this gel with a cotton bud to the cold sore as often as you desire.
Remember that you are unique and that the onset of a cold sore episode does not always have the same trigger, but we do know that a good immune system is very important in combating cold sores.
With a healthy immune system and all the good healing tips above you will be able to get rid of cold sores fast!