Cold Sore Home Remedies for Sufferers of Painful Blisters
Relief for the pain and discomfort associated with these unfortunate blisters
Viruses cause cold sores, and there is no true cure for a virus. It simply has to run its course. Cold sore home remedies, however, can help speed up the healing process and relieve the associated pain and discomfort at the same time.
Different things trigger cold sores. Many common culprits include poor diet, lack of sleep, depression, stress, and excessive caffeine. It is not that these things cause the cold sores. They simply cause your body's immune defenses to weaken, and when that happens, you are more susceptible to disease and illness.
Eat a diet that consists of proper nutrition, get plenty of rest and exercise, and take time for yourself so you don't become stressed or overloaded. Following these health guidelines might prevent you from needing cold sore home remedies. Maintaining good health is the first step in the prevention of cold sores. Sometimes, they happen anyway, and you need a cold sore home remedy.
* Dab peroxide or alcohol on the cold sore with a Q-tip. When the cold sore develops a blister, many find it heals much faster if they take a sharp straight pin dipped in alcohol and gently puncture the blister to allow it to drain. Use tissue to catch the liquid. Afterwards, apply more peroxide and alcohol to the popped blister.
* Apply ice to help with pain and swelling as soon as the tingling takes place at the onset of a cold sore. This is also known to give the cold sore a bit of a shock, plus it relieves the pain at the same time. When you first apply the ice, it does hurt. This will subside on subsequent applications and bring pain relief. Try to endure it because it is a proven help for many cold sore sufferers.
* Apply fluoride toothpaste gently to the cold sore area, then follow up with a Q-tip swabbed in alcohol. Many sufferers find their sore heals faster if they apply the toothpaste before bed and allow it to remain in place throughout the night.
* Make a cup of tea. After steeping, let the tea bag cool a bit and then apply to the cold sore area. The tea bag should be hot, but not painfully so. Do this several times throughout the day. You can use the same teabag and just re-moisten it as needed. Some people believe that green tea has more healing properties for this application than pekoe.
* Make a water and baking soda paste and apply to cold sore. Leave it alone until it dries up and flakes off. This can be done prior to going to bed and left in place throughout the night.
* Take a Q-tip and dip in nail polish remover and apply to cold sore area.
* Avoid foods rich in arginine. These contain the amino acid cold sores need to metabolize. Arginine rich foods include peanuts, cashews, gelatin, beer, peas, cola, and chocolate.
* Try applying fluoride mouthwash with a cotton ball to the cold sore twice daily.
Cold sore home remedies can help the sore heal faster and provide some relief for the pain and discomfort. The most painful time of a cold sore is in the middle of its course, when it has fully blistered and is red and painful to the touch.
Using a cold sore home remedy to speed the process of healing can cut down on the middle course period, resulting in faster healing and less pain.
