Tips to Heal a Cold Sore

If you're looking for some things that work to heal a cold sore, chances are pretty good you already know what one is, but just in case you're not sure if what you have is really a cold sore, you can check out the picture and if that's not enough you can check out the description below.

Cold sores (aka fever blisters) are little blisters or ulcers that appear around the lips or nasal area and are generally on the outside of the mouth. In contrast canker sores are generally inside the lips, cheeks or on the tongue. Both of them hurt way more than you think anything that size possibly could. They are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. It's basically the same virus that causes genital herpes. In this article I want to offer several tips that have worked for others as medicine for cold sores, plus additional tips on how to treat a cold sore to speed healing and prevent their return. There's also a reminder about not spreading the virus.

There are four basic categories of medicines that can be effective in treating a cold sore.

1. Over-The-Counter medications include the following:

• Ambesol - Treats the pain and moisturizes. Made with Aloe and Vitamin E.
  
• Orajel - Provides pain relief and acts as a moisturizer, but has no healing additives.
  
• Zilactin - Treats pain and forms a protective film over the cold sore.
  
• Lysine -Topical cream slows viral growth and accelerates healing.
• Carmex - Lip balm that aids healing. Contains menthol and phenol.

2. Prescriptions (FDA approved for the treatment of cold sores)

• Danavir - Interferes with the ability of the Herpes Virus to replicate.
  
• Zovirax - Interferes with the ability of the Herpes Virus to replicate.

3. Supplements include:

• Vitamins B & C - Fight stress which is a primary cause of Cold Sore outbreaks.
  
• Vitamin E - Heals the cold sore and prevents new outbreaks.
  
• Minerals (Calcium & Zinc) - Effective in healing and preventing future outbreaks.
  
• Lysine - Amino acid that is safer than prescription medications and, when taken in supplement form, has been found effective in slowing or halting viral growth and aiding int the healing process.

4. Natural Remedies - These include remedies that have been discovered through trial and error and proven effective for treating cold sores and cold sore symptoms.

• Hydrogen Peroxide - Sterilizes and provides healing oxygen to the cold sore.
  
• Ice - Eases pain and slows or halts viral growth.
  
• Frozen Tea Bags - Same as Ice plus natural antioxidants that aid in healing.
  
• Garlic Oil - Fresh garlic juice effective in fighting the Herpes virus and speeds healing.
  
• Aloe Vera - Miraculous healing properties when using fresh sap from live plant.
  
• Vitamin & Mineral Supplements - Builds natural immune system and is the most effective weapon in fighting the Herpes Virus and restricting or stopping future outbreaks.
  

Cold sores are soooo contagious that you can easily spread the Herpes Virus to someone else or to another part of you own body. It is most contagious during an outbreak, but can also be spread for up to two weeks after all signs have gone.

The discharge from an open cold sore is pure Herpes virus and will invade any part of your body or someone else wherever it might touch. That can even include finger tips, so be sure to keep the sore dry and clean at all times and treat this infection like the contagious virus that it is. You would feel terrible if you infected your mate or a child or even an infant. Once infected that person will carry the virus for life. Please be careful!