29
2009
Cold Sore Treatments you Need to Know
Cold sore treatments are essentially categorized into two broad groups, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and creams, and home cold sore remedies. In this article, we will look at OTC medications as well as home remedies for cold sores available for our use.
In case you do not know, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Even this virus has two types, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is the one that normally causes facial cold sores, though Type 2 has also been reported to cause sores on our face too even though it is mainly responsible for genital sores. Though huge investments have been poured into researching for a cure for cold sores, unfortunately, the medical industry has yet to be able to formulate a complete cold sore treatment to eliminate cold sores. What we have in the market are only medications and creams that can soothe the pain and bring itch relief and in some cases, quicken the healing process. Natural cold sore treatment seems to have answers to curing cold sores but as there have not been conclusive medical researches done in this area, only those who have benefited personally can testify of their effectiveness.
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications and Creams
As mentioned, such a form of cold sore treatment is primarily intended to alleviate the pain, itchiness and discomfort to the sufferer. There are others that have antiviral and antibiotic properties that inhibit the cold sore lesion development and accelerate the healing process.
1. You can easily find products containing docosanol, benzocaine, lidocaine, camphor, zinc, lysine, tetracaine or phenol off the shelf that are effective against cold sores.
2. Lip balms containing the compound petrolatum are pretty effective moisturizers. They prevent cold sores from peeling, cracking and bleeding and offer pain relief.
Home Remedies for Cold Sores
cold sore remedies are cheap and easy to prepare cold sore treatments.
1. Applying ice at first sign of tingling for about 20 minutes and repeated applications throughout the day is effective in slowing the cold sore lesion development.
2. Topical medication containing zinc is useful
3. Applying tea bags on your cold sores is another effective cold sore treatment. As tea contains tannic acid which is antiviral, the herpes simplex virus is suppressed.
4. L-lysine (2 to 4 g) may be consumed daily under the advice of your doctor.
These are some useful cold sore treatment methods. To learn more about how to cure your cold sores naturally with effective cold sore treatment and remedies, visit my blog.
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Davion W
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/cold-sore-treatments-you-need-to-know-107677.html
Comments
Cold Sore treatments?
I have had cold sores as long as i can remember. (I remember even pictures of me when I was like 2…and I am 27 now…so I really have had them a long time!) I have always just dealt with them. My mom also had a prescription at one time that I used to use. I was wondering if anyone knows of any remedies, treatments, ways to prevent them etc?
Also, I know what cold sores are. I know what causes them etc…so you don’t need to fill me in on all of that. Totally unncessesary. I usually find that my main causes are stress and over exposure to heat/sun. When I get them, I get them bad. My boyfriend is so disgusted by them so I am just looking for simple treatments/ways to ‘attempt’ to prevent them.
the compeed little plastery things are good they dont make them go away any faster but they stop the itchy pain and you cant pass them to anyone when you have it on.
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Avoid creams , especialy oily ones and make ups. Try to rub your face or that part of the skin after or during wash. Apply cold ice packs three times a day to reduce inflamation. I can’t tell much about prevention. Hope this helped.
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I have a prescription from my dermatologist for Acyclovor. Zovirax is another prescription. They work the best, but only if you use it at the first tingle. Abreva is an excellent cream you can get at the drug store without a prescription. It’s expensive, though….like $20.00 for a tiny tube. Again…use it as soon as you get the tingle! Sorry….I hate cold sores.
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Me…long time cold sore sufferer.
I use to have cold sores I tried Clorox this kills the virus
It has never came back,
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