Treating a cold sore, although not fun, can be very simple and effective.
You can use either internal or external remedies for treating a cold sore.
Your best outcome can be achieved by combining both types of remedies at the same time.
By doing so, you will be quite happy at how fast your cold sores can be eliminated using these simple treatments.
A.
EXTERNAL TREATMENTS.
Because cold sores always appear on the surface, topical remedies are the most popular.
Here are some proven and powerful external remedies.
1.
ICE OR OTHER COLD OBJECT.
If your outbreak is in its early stages, ice works wonders.
Ice stops discomfort and swelling.
And it distracts the herpes virus from its desire to create new virus.
Ice will slow down (and sometimes completely stop) your outbreak if applied at the first itching or tingling sign.
2.
FRESH GARLIC OIL.
Crush your own garlic for best results.
Begin putting this oil on the site as soon as you feel the first tingling signs of a pending sore.
Garlic is very anti-virus and has the amazing ability to go right through the skin to the infection.
If you just do not like smelling of garlic, get and use some oregano, mint or olive leaf oil instead.
3.
HOT COMPRESSES.
When your cold sores finally open up, quit using ice and start applying heat using warm tea bags.
You are now in the healing stage.
Ice will slow down healing and heat will cause much faster healing.
Tea has great healing properties.
Any black or herbal tea will help, but tea with mint works the best.
Warm the bags up in hot water only.
Never heat a tea bag directly in a microwave.
The microwave radiation will destroy the benefits of tea.
4.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.
You probably already know to continuously cleanse your wound.
Throw-away tissues and alcohol are the most commonly used cleansing method.
I prefer hydrogen peroxide.
It works as well as alcohol for cleansing a wound, but is also rich in oxygen molecules, which will boost your healing speed even more.
B.
INTERNAL TREATMENTS.
Internally treating your outbreak will greatly boost the results of any external treatment.
And do not let anybody kid you - it is the only way of actually preventing future attacks.
Below are two of the most effective internal methods for treating a cold sore.
1.
AMINO ACID LYSINE.
Lysine keeps the virus from being able to access the arginine protein it needs for replicating new virus.
When this happens, you have just stopped - or prevented - another outbreak.
Lysine will only help if it actually gets into the cells.
The only way lysine will work like this is to take it orally - not using it topically on the outbreak as some companies claim.
Lysine is rich in dairy products and fish, but it is difficult to get the measured high amounts you need from food alone.
It is much easier to get therapeutic dosages using lysine supplements.
These capsules are common and inexpensive.
Commonly, folks take about 3000 milligrams daily during active cold sores.
2.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS.
If you get a lot of outbreaks, you should be taking a good quality multi-vitamin supplement.
This is an outstanding way of eliminating recurring sores.
Vitamins D, A and E are critical for the health and healing of your skin tissue - and fast cell and skin repair.
Vitamins B and C are the stress vitamins.
They help reduce the negative effects of stress to your body.
The two most important minerals for treating cold sores are zinc and calcium.
Zinc is the main healing and prevention mineral.
You need 30 milligrams per day.
Many believe calcium is the most powerful mineral for treating a sore.
It is essential for keeping you body alkaline and in prime health.
Calcium is so critical for your health your body will take it from your bones if your intake is deficient.
There you have it.
You do not need expensive store-bought treatments, just some good home remedies that have proven themselves over many years.
Treating a cold sore and eliminating it quickly is as easy as giving these cold sore remedies a try.