Before you bite your lips, cursing the cluster of small, white blisters on the lips which grow to be painful, let us explore some home remedies for cold sores. Cold sore should not be mistaken for canker sores, the terms often used interchangeably. The cause of cold sores is the herpes simplex virus, part-1, which lies dormant in the nervous system and erupts due to stress, over-exposure to heat or because of a cold. Read on to know more

Cold sore home remedies

Cold sores can occur on the lips, on the nose or anywhere in the mouth and can last up to a week or even 14 days. They are highly contagious. This type of sores is highly prone to secondary bacterial infections. Cold sores cannot be cured as they have to left to the natural course of healing. Home remedies for the condition will help to ease the pain associated with the sores and hasten the healing process.

Effective home remedies for cold sores

• The ever-friendly petroleum jelly is a good cold sore home remedy. It can numb the pain and give a protective coat around the cold sore to prevent the incidence of secondary bacterial infections. Apply petroleum jelly on the affected area twice or thrice in a day and leave it for some time.

• Licorice pitches in yet again as the effective healer from the herbal shelf. Its constituent namely, glycyrrhizic acid, has shown abilities to fight the virus responsible for the cold sore. So chewing on licorice whip will not only help to heal the sore faster but also prevent its recurrence.

• Ice packs can prove to be a good home remedy for cold sore especially in its nascent stages. Applying ice packs at the first signs of the cold sore can considerably check its proliferation. Similarly, iced fruit popsicles can provide comfort as well. 

• Milk can milk its way to heal cold sores. Soak a cotton swab in cold milk and apply it on the affected region for pain relief. Additionally, drinking cold milk at the first signs of cold sore eruption can also check the spread of the virus.

• As mentioned, stress can lead to cold sores. During such times, anything which fortifies the immune system can catalyze the healing process. Zinc is one such mineral which comes in handy for cure. Sucking on zinc lozenges is proves to be a good home remedy for cold sores.

• Mild anesthetic ointments can help to relive the pain associated with cold sores. Apply the ointment on the affected area to relieve the pain.

• Clean the cold sore regularly minimum 4 times a day, especially after meals. Use a washcloth, soap and warm water to clean the sore. This will check the spreading of the virus.

• Include vitamin B supplements in the diet as a deficiency in B complex has been directly linked as trigger for cold sores.

• Tea bags also pitch in as one of the best home remedies for the pain associated with cold sores. Press a warm tea bag on the blister for a few minutes. Repeat the treatment every one hour.

• Use Peppermint oil for cold sores on the lips. The antiviral properties of the oil can penetrate into the skin and kill the virus. But be sure to use it only in minimal quantities and only for external use.

• Over and above to prevent the recurrence of cold sores, avoid using the same tooth brush after the sore is healed. Avoid foods rich in arginine (cocoa, colas etc) and salty and acidic foods as it can aggravate the condition.

Points of caution

• Avoid pinching the sores as this will only end up spreading the virulence.

• Avoid exposure to sunlight during the condition or use a special sunscreen for lips to prevent further aggravation of sores.

Freeze the sores cold dead, with these home remedies for cold sores and smack your lips for the joy of going blister-free!

Photo courtesy: anyidiotcan.blogspot.com